Brisbane storms, hail and fires: power outages linger as cooler change arrives — latest on weather, smoke and warnings

Brisbane and much of south-east Queensland are still cleaning up after Sunday’s destructive storms brought large hail, damaging winds and downed powerlines. As of Tuesday, 28 October, thousands of customers across Brisbane and nearby regions remain without electricity while repair crews work through a heavy backlog of hazards and fallen trees. The cool change that moved through late Monday has eased the extreme heat, but the risk picture now shifts to lingering showers, patchy thunder and smoke from nearby bushfires.

Brisbane power outages: today’s picture and what to expect

Restoration is progressing suburb by suburb, but it’s uneven. Field crews are prioritising areas with fallen high-voltage feeders and sites where lines are entangled in trees or debris. In many neighbourhoods, power has returned; elsewhere, single-street faults and damaged service lines mean some homes will be last back online. If your home connection mast or meter box is damaged, a licensed electrician will usually need to make repairs before supply can be safely restored.

Tips if you’re still off supply:

• Treat all fallen lines as live and keep well clear.

• Unplug sensitive appliances; leave one light on so you know when power returns.

• Keep fridge/freezer doors closed; discard food if in doubt.

• Log vulnerable residents’ needs (medical equipment, refrigerated meds) with your energy retailer and seek alternative accommodation if necessary.

Severe thunderstorms and hail in Brisbane: what happened

The weekend setup featured intense heat feeding a vigorous trough, priming storms over the coastal fringe. Brisbane recorded destructive wind gusts in places and hail up to several centimetres, with widespread tree damage. The insurance industry has now labelled the event significant, with more than 11,000 claims lodged so far for hail, wind and water impacts across Brisbane and Ipswich. Expect assessors to triage total losses and major roof damage first; for minor claims, take clear photos, store damaged materials safely, and beware unsolicited contractors offering same-day “disaster” repairs.

Bushfires, smoke and local fire bans

Fires west and south of the city — and on islands off the coast — have intermittently pushed smoke across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, especially when winds turn northerly or westerly. Air-quality readings through Tuesday have generally sat in the lower health-action ranges, but conditions can change quickly near active firegrounds or overnight under light winds. Keep doors and windows closed if you smell smoke, run air purifiers on recirculate, and switch activities outdoors if you’re in a sensitive group. Fire ban settings have been adjusted as the cool change and humidity lift, yet pockets of bushfire risk remain. Stay alert to any fresh local advice if winds strengthen or temperatures rebound later in the week.

Weather Brisbane: the next 48 hours

Tonight (Tue 28 Oct): Cloud increasing with occasional light rain or drizzle. Onshore winds keep temperatures moderate and humidity elevated.

Wednesday (29 Oct): Partly cloudy with a medium chance of showers, most likely morning to early afternoon. A brief, low-end thunderstorm risk lingers inland. Winds tending SE–E/SE 15–25 km/h, easing in the evening. Temp: around 25–26°C for the city, overnight near 17–18°C. Surf and marine conditions remain choppy on exposed beaches.

Thursday (30 Oct): Similar pattern — partly cloudy, chance of showers, a touch warmer (mid- to upper-20s). If inland heating fires up, an isolated storm could redevelop west of the ranges before drifting toward the coast late.

Note: Forecasts and warning timing can change with small shifts in the onshore flow and trough position. Check again in the morning before school runs, commutes and outdoor work.

Hail, radar and storm signals: what to watch

• Early storm signals: Rapidly building afternoon cumulus over the hinterland, a humid NE breeze at the coast, and a sharp drop in pressure can precede new cells.

• Hail potential: If storms redevelop, the hail risk is much lower than Sunday but not zero inland. Harden vehicles under cover if you can.

• Rain radar: Watch for narrow shower bands pushing ashore from Moreton Bay; these can wet roads quickly during peak hours.

Gold Coast and wider SEQ snapshot

The Gold Coast saw scattered tree and roof damage with traffic delays from isolated vehicle fires and debris. Clean-ups continue across the coast and hinterland. Inland corridors toward Ipswich and the Scenic Rim still have hot spots of storm damage and intermittent smoke. Travel times may fluctuate with lane closures for hazard clearing.

Quick checklist for Wednesday

• Charge phones/power banks overnight; keep a torch handy.

• Re-stock basic first aid and non-perishable food if you lost power.

• Photograph any fresh storm or hail damage before moving items.

• For bushfire smoke days: set air con to recirculate, avoid vigorous outdoor exercise, and keep meds accessible.

Brisbane’s worst of the heat and destructive weather has passed for now, but recovery will take days in the hardest-hit suburbs. Expect a milder, showery Wednesday with onshore winds, pockets of lingering smoke, and continuing — but shrinking — power outages as repairs roll through the network. Stay weather-aware and safety-first around fallen trees, unstable roofs and any remaining downed lines.