# Severe storms Bring Giant Hail, Destructive Winds to Southeast Queensland
A powerful storm system has unleashed giant hailstones and damaging winds across parts of southeast queensland, leaving thousands without power and disrupting travel.Severe thunderstorm warnings remain in effect from the New South Wales border to Maroochydore on the Sunshine coast, as the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of the intense whether event.
Residents across the affected areas reported exceptionally large hail, with the Bureau of Meteorology confirming reports of 9-centimetre hailstones in Coombabah on the Gold Coast and 8-centimetre hailstones in Mount Tamborine. The ferocity of the storm was further underscored by a recorded wind gust of 91 kilometres per hour at Beaudesert.
Widespread Damage and Power Outages
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The impact of the storms has been notable, with widespread reports of damage to property and infrastructure. A representative from Energex stated that approximately 12,500 customers where without power Monday afternoon, as crews prepared to assess and repair the extensive damage.
“It’s absolutely smashing cars and everything else, so no doubt that is going to have, and is having, its toll on components on the network,” the Energex representative explained. “And we’re also looking at a bit of wind damage too, a bit of debris being carried by these winds.”
Energex crews are on standby, awaiting a safe opportunity to begin restoration efforts.”We’re ready to go. We’ve got additional crews ready to go, but we’re going to stay inside until this passes,” they added. One observer reported witnessing 9-centimetre hail at Wellington Point, highlighting the scale of the precipitation.
Residents Describe “Wild” Conditions
The storms weren’t just characterized by large hail and strong winds; residents described a chaotic and frightening scene. A resident in Canungra,within the Scenic Rim region,reported a “steady stream” of hail falling around 2:30 PM,varying in size. “I’m more worried about the wind gusts [than the hail],” the resident said, adding, “Lightning strikes are hitting Tamborine Mountain range, it’s wild.”
Further reports indicated large hail falling in Wynnum, and hailstones measuring 5.5-6cm were recorded in Tamrookum.
Travel Disrupted at Brisbane Airport
The dangerous conditions also led to significant disruptions at Brisbane Airport. All flights were temporarily halted as a precautionary measure. A spokesperson for the airport explained that workers were evacuated from the tarmac due to lightning strikes within a 10-kilometre radius.
“It’s no place for passengers or pilots or crew or baggage handlers out on the tarmac, so everybody’s inside as the worst of that storm passes through,” they said.
Why did the storms occur?
The severe storms were caused by a strong upper-level trough interacting with moist, unstable air over southeast Queensland. This combination created ideal conditions for thunderstorm advancement, including the formation of large hail and damaging winds. The trough drew in warm, humid air from the Coral Sea, providing the energy needed for the storms to intensify.
Who was affected?
The storms primarily impacted residents and infrastructure across southeast Queensland, stretching from the New South Wales border to Maroochydore. Approximately 12,500 Energex customers experienced power outages. Travelers were affected by flight disruptions at Brisbane Airport. Residents in areas like Coombabah, Mount Tamborine, Canungra, Wynnum, and Tamrookum reported significant property damage from hail and wind.
