A violent weather system has torn through Australia's eastern states, pummelling communities with giant hailstones and ferocious winds exceeding 100km/h. The severe thunderstorms left a trail of destruction across southeast Queensland and Victoria on Sunday, with emergency services overwhelmed by calls for assistance.
Metre-High Hail Drifts and Tennis Ball-Sized Stones
Residents in affected areas reported unprecedented hail conditions, with some describing accumulations reaching up to one metre deep in parts of Brisbane's northern suburbs. The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed hailstones larger than tennis balls in regions including Mitchelton, where cars sustained severe damage and skylights were shattered.
"We've never seen anything like this," one Mitchelton local reported. "The hail just kept coming, and within minutes our street looked like a winter landscape."
Widespread Power Outages and Infrastructure Damage
The wild weather triggered massive power disruptions, with over 30,000 properties left without electricity across Queensland alone. Energy providers worked through the night to restore power to affected areas, but many homes remained in darkness on Monday morning.
Critical infrastructure suffered significant impact, including:
- Multiple schools closed due to storm damage
- Public transport delays across rail and bus networks
- Road closures due to fallen trees and power lines
- Structural damage to commercial buildings and homes
Victoria Battles Simultaneous Storm Crisis
While Queensland bore the brunt of the hail onslaught, Victoria faced its own weather emergency with damaging winds causing havoc across the state. Emergency services responded to hundreds of incidents as trees crashed onto roads and properties.
The State Emergency Service issued urgent warnings for residents to secure loose items and avoid unnecessary travel. "The wind speeds we're seeing are capable of lifting trampolines, tearing off roof tiles, and bringing down large tree branches," an SES spokesperson warned.
Clean-Up Operations Underway Amid Further Warnings
Clean-up efforts began in earnest on Monday morning as communities assessed the full extent of the damage. Insurance companies reported being inundated with claims for vehicle and property damage.
Meteorologists have warned that the severe weather threat continues, with the possibility of further storm development in coming days. Residents are advised to remain vigilant and monitor official warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology and emergency services.
This developing story continues to unfold as authorities work to restore normalcy to affected communities.
