A recent report has raised alarms about the safety of pedestal-mounted balcony pavers in high winds, warning that these slabs could become dangerous projectiles during storms exceeding 100 kilometers per hour. The study highlights how these elevated paving systems, designed to allow for drainage, are particularly vulnerable when severe weather strikes.
Co-author Dr. David Henderson explained that the system, which was downgraded from a Category Two to an ex-tropical cyclone upon landfall, underscores the need for improved community preparedness. The report emphasizes that buildings in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales are only marginally capable of withstanding weather conditions slightly more intense than those experienced during ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred earlier this year.
The damage assessment, conducted by James Cook University in collaboration with Natural Hazards Research Australia, identified several key risks, including issues related to waterproofing, electricity, communication infrastructure, and balcony pavers on high-rise buildings.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which crossed the coast at Moreton Bay on March 8, brought winds reaching up to 100 kilometers per hour. The findings suggest that future storms of similar or slightly greater intensity could pose significant threats to infrastructure and safety if preventative measures are not enhanced.
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