Destructive Storms Unleash Giant Hail Across Southeast Queensland
Residents across southeast Queensland are facing a severe weather crisis as dangerous thunderstorms have battered the region with giant hail, destructive winds, and widespread power outages. The Bureau of Meteorology issued urgent warnings as the intense storm system moved through the area on Monday afternoon.
Widespread Damage and Power Outages
The scale of the damage became immediately apparent as more than 138,000 customers lost power across southeast Queensland according to Energex representative Justin Coomber. The situation is particularly dire with approximately 300 power lines reported down, creating hazardous conditions and significant disruption to essential services.
Social media platforms flooded with images and videos from affected residents, particularly those near Logan, showing hail stones measuring larger than 8cm in diameter. One local resident expressed surprise, noting they hadn't seen hail in Eagleby during their five years living in the area.
Meteorological Warnings and Ongoing Threat
The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed reports of hail between 6cm and 8cm falling at multiple locations including Tamrookum, Coombabah, and Mount Tamborine. Their official warning emphasised that very dangerous thunderstorms were moving into southern and eastern suburbs of Brisbane, with the potential for damaging to destructive winds accompanying the giant hail.
Meteorologists warned that further storm development was likely across southeast Queensland as systems continued tracking northwards throughout the afternoon. The severe weather event comes as the state also faces heatwave conditions, with temperatures expected to soar into the mid-forties in some northern parts of Queensland in the coming days.
Emergency services remain on high alert as residents are urged to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel while the severe weather threat continues.
