Volunteers removed 14 fallen trees and responded to multiple emergencies during extreme weather on 30 March

As winds gusted over 105km/h in the early hours of Sunday, the Jamberoo Rural Fire Service swung into action. Overnight rain had already softened the ground, setting the stage for trees to topple across the region. By sunrise, calls were coming in thick and fast.

“Even though some parts of the region received up to 400mm of rain, our biggest issue wasn’t flooding, it was wind,” said Hannah McInerney, captain of the Jamberoo brigade.

“We had trees coming down across the entire area. Hot spots included Barren Grounds, Curramore, Jamberoo Mountain and Knights Hill.”

Over the course of the day, the Jamberoo brigade removed 14 trees, while others were cleared by Kiama Council and the SES. On top of that, they responded to a triggered fire alarm, flat car batteries, and oil spills.

While some areas like Swamp Road experienced flooding, the wind’s persistence posed the greater threat. “The gusts started early and stayed with us until about lunchtime,” Hannah said. “It was the combination of rain-loosened soil and ongoing wind that made conditions so tricky.”

The Jamberoo crew were busy on Sunday. Photo: Linda Faiers

The Jamberoo brigade volunteers had been up since 5am and didn’t finish until well into the afternoon. “The last crew stood down after 1pm, after restocking gear and supplies,” she said.

In some cases, RFS members couldn’t even get to the station. “It works both ways,” said Hannah. “Some of our team were cut off by flooded causeways. Others of us got out and then couldn’t get back in.”

The brigade also relies heavily on public reports during events like this. “We do try to post updates on social media, but the same people doing the updates are also out on the trucks,” said Hannah. “There’s no app that tracks every fallen tree or closed road in real time. It really is a community effort.”

Hannah McInerney. Photo: Linda Faiers

She emphasised the RFS depends not only on the public to notify them of hazards, but also on the community to help spread the word.

“We see locals sharing updates, starting shuttle threads, alerting others. We rely on that just as much as they rely on us. Everyone plays a part.”

Shuttle threads are informal message chains, often shared in local Facebook groups, where residents offer each other lifts or real-time updates when roads are blocked. “Someone might say, ‘Tree down on Jamberoo Mountain,’ and that can make a real difference,” said Hannah.

Residents are urged not to hesitate when it comes to calling for help. “Please call Triple Zero even if it’s just a tree down,” Hannah said. “It may not be a fire, but it’s still a hazard. A blocked road can lead to an accident.”

She also offered a reminder to those living in tree-dense areas. “Make sure overhanging branches are checked and trimmed. If you’re concerned about access or safety, now’s the time to act.”

Despite the challenging conditions, Hannah remains proud of her team and the community they serve. “We’re here to help. And we’re grateful when people call in hazards. It’’s how we know where we’re needed.”

Show your support: attend the Jamberoo RFS charity concert

The volunteers who protect our community need our support too. Join them for a night of live music, food, and fun — and help raise funds to keep the brigade strong and ready.

📍 Jamberoo School of Arts Hall

🗓️ Saturday 24 May

🕕 7 pm till late

🎤 Live music, singing and dancing

🍷 Food and drinks at bar prices

🎟️ $40 tickets from Humanitix