The response to the mother of all storms

A combat agency view. Keys, C. (1999-2000) The Australian Journal of Emergency Management 14 (4) 10-14

Early in the evening of Wednesday 14 April 1999, a massive hailstorm struck the southern, eastern and inner suburbs of Sydney. It produced colossal damage and over the ensuing weeks turned out to be, in insured damage terms, the most costly natural disaster ever to have occurred in Australia's history. A massive emergency response was mounted, lasting several weeks and giving temporary protection to many thousands of hail-damaged dwellings. Six months later the permanent repair work was still being carried out and while most roofs had been fixed the repairs to a minority of difficult cases were not expected to be finalised until well into the year 2000.

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