Whale sculpture floats away as iconic Adelaide Christmas display hit by storms

The iconic Riverbank Christmas Lights Display in Adelaide’s west has been implicated in the overnight deluge.

Severe thunderstorms passing through South Australia damaged homes and businesses, left thousands without power and prevented flights from taking off at Adelaide airport.

The Moby Dick whale sculpture, part of the lights display at Thebarton, was dislodged from its position during the storm.

City of West Torrens staff are assessing the damage this morning, while a spokesperson from the council said it was possible the display’s lights will need to be switched off for a few days while the electrical works are checked.

They are also assessing whether the whale sculpture will require any repairs.

It is the second time the whale has been swept downstream in heavy weather, after a similar incident in 2005.

The council had to enlist the help of a crane to reposition the whale, and much of the display was submerged as the River Torrens flooded.

The whale was then revitalised with a fresh coat of paint ahead of the Christmas lights display in 2006.

Most areas across Adelaide received between 25mm to 35mm of rain this morning, with Brownhill Creek recording 45.8mm in one hour to 7:02am.

Businesses, homes inundated

Abel Prasad arrived at his cafe and home goods business in Norwood early on Tuesday morning to find the roof had collapsed.

“The whole place had filled up with water … we went through to the back and the whole roof had fallen,” he said.

Mr Prasad estimated the business had incurred more than $100,000 worth of damage, including antique books, furniture and cafe stock.

“Being a small family business, we rely on every dollar,” he said.

“Days like this, it sucks. We’ll clean up the shop, get it ready … and try to salvage the back.”