State of Emergency as 'Very Dangerous' Thunderstorms Strike
Residents across south-east Queensland are facing a major clean-up after a series of severe thunderstorms, described as 'very dangerous' by forecasters, battered the region with giant hail and destructive winds. The intense weather system left a trail of damage, causing significant power outages and property damage.
Widespread Damage and Power Loss
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) confirmed reports of enormous hail stones, measuring between 6cm and 8cm, pelting down in areas including Tamrookum, Coombabah, and Mount Tamborine. On Monday afternoon, the BoM escalated its warnings, stating that the very dangerous thunderstorms were moving into the southern and eastern suburbs of Brisbane, with giant hail already observed and the potential for damaging to destructive winds.
The impact on infrastructure was immediate and severe. Justin Coomber from Energex revealed that more than 138,000 customers lost power across south-east Queensland as the storms raged. In a stark indication of the storm's ferocity, he also reported approximately 300 power lines had been brought down.
Resident Reactions and Further Warnings
Social media became a platform for residents to share startling images of the giant hail balls, with some near Logan reporting hail larger than 8cm. The event was so unusual that one Logan local commented, "I haven’t seen hail in Eagleby for the 5 years I’ve lived here."
The Bureau of Meteorology has advised that further storms are likely to develop across south-east Queensland, tracking northwards. This severe weather event coincides with a heatwave warning for the northern parts of the state, where temperatures are expected to soar into the mid-forties in the coming days, creating a volatile and challenging weather pattern for residents.
