Just an update on this. I spoke to the owner of the silo (Charlie) - it has been moved back but is damaged beyond repair due to the warping of the metal. Charlie said was bolted down but perhaps the bolts may have been rusty after years. However, he believes the only reason that this silo was ripped out and moved was that it was not loaded with 1.5 tonnes of water tank like the others. A fence and trees also stopped it from being rolled further. He confirmed that a water tank in the property next door most likely was rolled through two fences of the railway line and lost in the paddock on the other side! They have not found it yet! It was an empty plastic large water tank. Gone! The verandah that was facing the wind he suggests was very strong and was simply lofted in one hit and over the house! This event was particularly significant given the damage pattern and size of the objects! Any estimates based on the descriptions here?
Harley Pearman and I committed to a damage survey after a road that had been close in Schofields for 2 days was opened. Now we realise why! Personally I have never seen a large silo moved like this before - this one moved from a confirmed position 40 metres away and resting against trees and a fence. I am not sure whether it was bolted down but one would assume so given construction requirements on a chicken farm. It took down a sign as well as it rolled across the road to the other side.
Further to this damage, we were told that an empty water tank was blown away and has not been located yet - one would assume probably across the railway line. If this is the case, then the water tank has been rolled at least 200 metres.
Pine trees with extensive root systems were uprooted, antennas bent over and debris including sheeting iron hurled perhaps 100 metres or more and wrapped around poles. There is evidence of street signs leaning over from a vertical position and medium branches caught in power lines.
There were countless fencing used to enclose construction sites totally knocked down everywhere.
This suggests the wind was particularly strong and not seen in the area for many years! The pattern of the damage suggests localised severe microbursts!
Included here are some images of a nearby street where also intense damage occurred
Photos Courtesy William Brown