It’s unclear how long the recovery and restoration work for Yarralumla Creek in Curtin will take. Photo: ACT Government.
UPDATE, 6:30 pm – The Malkara School in Garran will be shut for the rest of the week due to damage from the weekend’s downpour.
Both Malkara School and The Woden School were closed today (Monday, 9 February) as the damage was assessed.
The Woden School will be closed tomorrow (Tuesday) but it’s hoped students can go back on Wednesday.
An update on the ACT Public School’s social media channels stated all families had been made aware that their children couldn’t attend.
“Safety is our highest priority. The storm damage has meant that removal and replacement of carpets, flooring, and fixtures across a large number of spaces in both schools is required before we can safely welcome everyone back,” it read.
“We appreciate the importance of providing students at our Specialist Schools with a predictable and safe learning routine and are working to reopen both schools as quickly as possible.”
It’s as City and Environment Directorate workers have been assessing the damage at Yarralumla Creek in the Curtin area.
An ACT Government spokesperson said no repair work could begin until a full examination had been done.
“It is expected that this recovery work will be ongoing for some time,” they said.
“Crews are also working … to move debris away from the channel to allow water to flow through. This includes using excavation equipment to remove large, damaged sections of concrete from the channel.”
Large slabs of the concrete drain’s wall and bottom were ripped up by the fast-moving water and carried downstream.
This is the second time in four years that the Yarralumla Creek has experienced such damage.
Two drivers suffered minor injuries after a tree fell on their cars. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.
Monday, 11:30 am – Two drivers have had a lucky escape after a tree fell on top of their vehicles in Kingston on Monday (9 February).
Emergency services were called at about 9 am to Wentworth Avenue, at Telopea Park, to reports that two lanes were blocked by a tree.
An ESA ACT spokesperson said the two drivers were able to get themselves out of their vehicles and were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
It’s unclear whether recent wet weather is to blame for the tree’s collapse, but the Capital was lashed by storms over the weekend.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, 28.4 millimetres were recorded at its Canberra Airport weather station on Sunday (8 February).
But 83 millimetres were recorded at Curtin.
The ACT’s State Emergency Service responded to 124 calls for help over the weekend, with one outstanding as of Monday morning.
Both the Woden and Malkara Public Schools were closed on Monday due to “extensive” damage and flooding, and Yarralumla Creek in Curtin was also damaged.
An update on whether the two schools can reopen tomorrow (Tuesday, 10 February) is expected this afternoon.
Storms are forecast this afternoon and Tuesday, with the ESA urging everyone to keep an eye on the outlook.
“Please ensure you check weather conditions before heading out and take extra precautions while driving on our roads, using cycleways and pedestrian paths near waterways where flash flooding may occur,” a statement read.
“If your property has suffered damage … it is important that you contact your insurer, who can organise temporary repairs to make your property safe.”
If you need support during storms and floods, call the ACT State Emergency Service on 132 500.
In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple-Zero (000).
More to come.
