Massive Hail and Storms Batter South-East Queensland, Causing Injuries

Severe storms have violently struck south-east Queensland, unleashing massive hailstones, lightning, and rain across the region. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued warnings for potential continued storm activity throughout Saturday night and into Sunday morning, urging residents to remain vigilant.

Impact of the Storm

As thunderstorms moved through the area on Saturday afternoon, thousands of residents lost power. Significant damage occurred in various towns, with hailstones reaching sizes up to 9 centimeters. This extreme weather event has led to reported injuries and property damage throughout the region.

Injuries and Damage Reports

A woman in her 30s sustained head and neck injuries and was taken to the hospital from the Esk area. Additionally, eight others suffered hail-related injuries. Several individuals, including a man in his 20s and two women, received treatment for minor injuries.

• In Esk, large hail damaged vehicles and buildings.
• In Pratten, 9-centimetre hail struck around 1 PM, leading to significant destruction.
• Richard Manley, the owner of MJ’s Cafe, described chaos on its opening day due to “tennis-ball-sized” hail.

Local Business Devastation

Manley reported extensive damage to his cafe’s roof and said many motorists sought shelter after their car windows were shattered. At another local spot, Julie Blurton’s cafe in Clifton experienced similar devastation as golf ball-sized hail broke through sheltering structures, wreaking havoc for 20 minutes.

Meteorological Insights

The Bureau of Meteorology classified the intense storm activity near Toowoomba as a supercell. Senior meteorologist Harry Clarke indicated that lightning struck from locations such as Strathpine to the New South Wales border. By 7 PM Saturday, over 6,000 people were reported without power, with Toowoomba, Brisbane, and Western Downs being severely affected.

Ongoing Weather Warnings

With continued storm predictions, residents were advised of increased risks of flash flooding and severe conditions across various regions in Queensland. In the Scenic Rim area, hailstones measuring 2 centimeters were reported at Mount Walker. Strong winds reaching over 100 kph were recorded in Dalby.

• Severe storm warnings are in effect for multiple areas, including the Darling Downs and Granite Belt.
• Residents are advised to stay informed on evolving weather conditions.

The storms are expected to drift north, and safety precautions continue to be recommended as the situation develops. This destructive weather has truly underscored the unpredictable nature of Queensland’s climate, leaving many to assess the storm’s aftermath.