Severe thunderstorms hit southeast Queensland, with more storms forecast
The Bureau of Meteorology warned that severe thunderstorms bringing large hail, damaging winds and heavy rain struck southeast Queensland and are expected to continue into Thursday.
Severe thunderstorms battered southeast Queensland on Wednesday afternoon, causing structural damage, tree falls and flash-flooding, and authorities warned that similar conditions are likely to return on Thursday.
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Dean Narramore said the storms were driven by warm, humid air rising under sunny conditions, producing large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall across southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales.
"Thunderstorms are set to impact much of Queensland and eastern New South Wales today, with severe thunderstorms bringing large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall for southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales," Narramore said.
More than 300 State Emergency Service tasks were activated, including rescues of people trapped in vehicles and homes. Structural damage was reported to houses and commercial buildings, and several schools in the Logan area were closed on Thursday.
The bureau recorded a 96 km/h wind gust at Brisbane Airport, 78 mm of rain at Wishart and 75 mm at Chandler within 30 minutes, and two-centimetre hail near Canungra. An update warned of possible flash flooding and forecasted further thunderstorms from Bundaberg to the Port Macquarie area, with the most intense activity expected between Byron Bay and Gympie.
"We’re likely to see another round of severe thunderstorms with large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall," Narramore added.
Rainfall totals of 25 mm to 50 mm are expected across the affected region, with higher isolated amounts, while inland areas may see less precipitation. Residents in northeast New South Wales and southeast Queensland were advised to remain vigilant as showers and thunderstorms are forecast to continue through the weekend.