Floods and Fires Claim 11 Lives Over Christmas Holiday

People watch the storm roll in across the Coral Sea as Cyclone Jasper approaches landfall in Cairns in far north Queensland on December 13, 2023. A tropical cyclone was building strength as it rolled towards northeastern Australia on 13 December, with authorities warning "life-threatening" floods could swamp coastal regions for days. (Photo by Brian CASSEY / AFP) (Photo by BRIAN CASSEY/AFP via Getty Images)

Devastating storms have swept the east coast of Australia, leading to the death of 10 people in Queensland and Victoria over the Christmas holiday break.

The storms created major power outages, leaving more than 100,000 homes without power and 800 powerlines down in Queensland.

A boat capsized in Moreton Bay near Brisbane, leading to the death of three men, aged 48, 69, and 59.

Two women also lost their lives after being swept away in floodwaters in Gympie, Queensland.

In Victoria, two bodies were discovered at a campground in the state’s east that flooded on Dec. 26. A third person in that state also died following a branch falling at his property in eastern Victoria.

Autistic nine-year-old girl Mia Holland-McCormack and two former Queensland rugby union players David Logan and Stephen Tait are among those who have been dead from the major  storms.

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Little Mia was found in the water unresponsive, a few kilometres from home after taking off over the back fence at home just before the storm hit on Dec. 26.

“On Boxing Day evening the unthinkable happened when Mia was found unresponsive in flood waters,” a Go Fund Me page set up in her honour states.

“Mia loved adventures and getting up to mischief, however being severely autistic this was additionally challenging for her amazing parents Ryan and Kayla.

“On the evening of Dec. 26, 2023, Mia took off over the back fence at home, just before a storm hit. She was found a few kms from home in the water unresponsive.”

Queensland Premier Steven Miles said he was feeling “heartbroken” about the deaths in Queensland and extended his thoughts and prayers.

“I’m heartbroken to hear of the people who died overnight from the destructive storms in South East Queensland. Every Queenslander will have those families in our thoughts and prayers,” he said on social media.

“Please stay safe Queensland, stay away from fallen power lines and from flooded waterways.”

He said the government has switched on disaster assistance for parts of the Gold Coast, Logan, and Scenic Rim following the storms.

This means emergency hardship assistance grants of up to $180 (US$123) per person and $900 per family of five will be available to help people with essential needs including food, clothing and medical supplies. Up to $50,000 for structural assistance grants will also be made available for uninsured, income-tested owner occupiers with conditions.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also paid tribute to Australians who lost their lives in severe weather.

“My heart goes out to the families of those Australians who have lost their lives—and to the communities taking care of them,” he said.

“While many Australians are enjoying their well-earned holidays, our essential services and emergency personnel are working gruelling shifts to keep the lights on and to keep us safe. I want to thank you all. Your jobs are tough, especially on days like today.”

In Gympie, police located a second woman dead after a search and rescue operation in the Mary River.

A 46-year-old woman was recovered at around midday on Dec. 27 in the Gympie weir.

Water Police, State Emergency Services, the police dive squad and air assets were involved in the search efforts.

This followed a 40-year-old woman from Gympie being found deceased  in the water at about 7 p.m. on Dec. 26. Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

Police divers, water vessels, volunteer marine rescue, and coast guard were also involved in a large scale search and rescue after the boat capsized with 11 people on board south of Green Island, in Moreton Bay.

Eight people were transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries, while three people passed away. Police will also prepare a report to the coroner on this incident.

Fire in Western Australia

In Western Australia, volunteer firefighter Harry Stead has died while fighting an out of control fire at a farming property near Esperance in Western Australia.

The 20-year-old has received hundreds of tributes, including one from Mr. Albanese.

The Hale School graduate had been volunteering with the fire service for about three years and is said to have fallen from a fire appliance, leading to his death.

In a statement cited by Nine, his loved ones said, “our family is forever broken.”

“We are immensely proud of Harry and all that he achieved and at 20 we thought it was just the beginning,” the family said.

“We had all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Day with the extended family—Harry made every part of the day fun.

“Harry was kind, fun-loving and active and always there to help with family and with the community.”