By Juliano Oliveira
Queenslanders impacted by the recent storms that strike the state can apply for Emergency Hardship Assistance grants of up to $900 per family.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that the money would help with essentials like food and clothing. Grants may vary from $180 per person to $900 for a family of five.
“Through jointly-funded Commonwealth/State-Disaster Relief Funding Arrangements (DRFA), Emergency Hardship Assistance grants are available to help cover the costs of essential items, such as food and clothing, for people in these areas who were directly impacted by this disaster,” the Premier said.
People who need financial assistance in the affected suburbs can phone the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 or access www.communityrecovery.qld.gov.au.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) informed that in October, Queensland had above-average rainfall in parts.
On the 24th and 25th, then the 27th and 28th, and, finally, 31th, Brisbane was pummeled by widespread thunderstorms bringing heavy rainfall to some sites, strong wind gusts and hail.
According to the BOM, severe thunderstorms impacted much of south-east Queensland on the afternoon of the 31st.
The main impacts were giant hail up to 14 cm in diameter along a path from Amberley to the northern suburbs of Logan, giant hail up to 7 cm in the Gympie area, and wind damage from Redcliffe to Kingston with gusts over 100 km/h recorded around Moreton Bay.