Week long Emerald clean up begins

A group of Emerald SES volunteers out on the road Friday 11 June.

By Shelby Brooks

The massive clean-up is well underway in Emerald following Wednesday 9 June’s storm which left a path of destruction through the hills.

The Emerald SES command centre has been wading through hundreds of calls for assistance since Wednesday night, with many volunteers working back to back shifts to help clear roads and driveways.

The crew welcomed a loan truck from the state headquarters Friday 11 June, after one of their vehicles was crushed by a falling tree during the worst part of the storm Wednesday night.

Volunteer Rob Fazzino said it was vital to have a forth vehicle back in operation because the clean up was expected to take at least seven days.

CFA strike teams from the eastern region also arrived on Friday to help out, as did CFA members from Emerald, Clematis, Macclesfield, Cockatoo, Menzies Creek and Calista.

“We reached out to them and they’ve come straight away,” Mr Fazzino said.

“We work as one and both help each other no matter what.”

Emerald SES have loaned generators to locals in critical need.

Mr Fazzino said the unit would be needing funds from the community to help cover the costs of the lost vehicle.

“And we’re always looking for more volunteers,” he said.

Line crews were also making their way through the hills, clearing trees from powerlines.

Good Samaritans also helped clear roads and driveways.