QLD Storm: Severe Thunderstorms Hit South East

Severe Storms Lash Southeast Queensland with Hail and Damaging Winds

A severe thunderstorm swept across southeast Queensland on Sunday, bringing five-centimetre hailstones and wind gusts up to 96 kilometres per hour, impacting communities from Brisbane to Toowoomba. The Bureau of meteorology (BOM) issued warnings spanning a wide area, and emergency services are responding to widespread damage.

The initial severe thunderstorm warning, issued Sunday afternoon, covered parts of the Brisbane, Moreton bay, Redlands, Logan, Sunshine coast, Noosa, South burnett, and Gold Coast areas. an additional warning extended to the Wide Bay-Burnett, Southeast Coast, and portions of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Capricornia, and Darling Downs and Granite Belt districts.

Large hail descended upon southern Brisbane suburbs at 4:45 p.m. Sunday, according to the BOM. At Archerfield Airport, wind gusts reached 96 kilometres per hour. The State Emergency Service (SES) has been inundated with calls for assistance, responding to reports of fallen trees and downed powerlines from Ipswich to Brisbane.

Did you know? – Hailstones larger than two centimetres are considered significant and can cause damage to vehicles, roofs, and crops. Sunday’s storms produced hailstones exceeding five centimetres in diameter.

Road closures and Infrastructure Damage in brisbane

Significant road damage has been reported in Brisbane’s inner-city. Vulture Street and Leopard Street in Woolloongabba are currently closed due to considerable surface damage, which the SES believes is storm-related.

The Queensland Fire Department is actively addressing multiple power outages throughout the region. Crews responded to incidents including a roof being torn off a business in Toowoomba and a residential roof being removed in Millmeran.

Widespread Power Disruptions

Over 55,000 Energex customers were left without power in the southeast, while Ergon Energy reported more than 40 downed power lines in the Toowoomba area, alongside “lots of othre damage to poles and wires across the region.”

pro tip: – During severe weather, stay indoors, away from windows, and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. Secure loose outdoor items to prevent them from becoming projectiles.

Forecast for Continued Storm Activity

A senior meteorologist explained that the storm activity was likely triggered by a weak trough moving through the area, creating an unstable and moist habitat. The BOM is forecasting scattered showers and thunderstorms across much of eastern Queensland on Monday, with a low-pressure trough expected to deepen.

“We may once again see severe storms developing across areas mainly to the north of Brisbane, but pushing up

Reader question: – Have you experienced similar severe weather events in your area? What steps did you take to prepare and stay safe?

Why did this happen? The severe storms were triggered by a weak trough moving through southeast Queensland, creating an unstable and moist atmospheric environment conducive to thunderstorm development.

Who was affected? Communities across southeast Queensland, from Brisbane to Toowoomba, were impacted. Over 55,000 Energex customers and numerous Ergon Energy customers experienced power outages. Residents and businesses faced damage from hail, wind, fallen trees, and infrastructure failures.

What happened? A severe thunderstorm brought five-centimetre hailstones and wind gusts up to 96 km/h to southeast Queensland on Sunday. This resulted in widespread damage, including road closures, power outages, and structural damage to buildings. The SES responded to numerous calls for assistance