Insurance companies are on standby to support customers after severe storms swept through Queensland this week, bringing hail, heavy rain, and damaging winds, with forecasts indicating that the weather may continue in certain areas.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) reported that thunderstorms started early Wednesday, affecting parts of both Queensland and New South Wales. These storms led to intense weather conditions that persisted into Thursday.
In the Maranoa region, north of Injune, hailstones measuring up to 7cm were recorded, while 6cm hail was reported in Kogan, located in the Western Downs.
BoM meteorologist Miriam Bradbury explained that even where hailstones were smaller, the sheer volume indicated the strength of the storms.
“Even though that hail was maybe not necessarily reaching that two to five centimetre size, there was certainly a lot of it – which really does just show how intense these storms were as they moved through,” she said, as reported by The Guardian.
In Morayfield, situated between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, hail covered the ground, creating a scene reminiscent of snowfall. Local residents were seen engaging in playful “snowball” fights. Heavy rains in the same area caused damage to buildings, including a ceiling collapse at a Woolworths store within the Supa Centre.
Nearby, the Red Dragon Martial Arts studio experienced a roof collapse, although no serious injuries were reported, according to CCTV footage.
Rainfall varied across affected regions, with totals ranging from 30mm to 60mm from Mackay down to the NSW border. However, heavier downpours were recorded in southeast Queensland and northeast NSW.
On the Gold Coast, Mudgeeraba recorded 166mm of rain, Burleigh Waters 155mm, and Tomewin, near the NSW border, 157mm. In NSW, Bray Park saw 183mm, while Tweed Heads recorded 167mm.
The storm system began to move offshore overnight, but lightning activity persisted into Thursday, especially around Mackay.
While the risk of severe storms eased in the southeast, Bradbury indicated that some isolated thunderstorms and showers could still develop, particularly in the central highlands and coalfields regions.
As these storms strike, Queensland’s annual “Get Ready Queensland Week” is underway, promoting disaster preparedness ahead of the summer storm season.
Sponsored by Suncorp Group, the initiative runs from Oct. 8-14 and encourages Queenslanders to protect their homes and communities against extreme weather events.
During launch events in Brisbane and Cairns, Suncorp executive general manager Anna Cartwright emphasised the importance of being prepared for severe weather.
“As one of Australia’s largest insurers, Suncorp witnesses firsthand the devastating impact of extreme weather events on people’s lives, livelihoods, and communities,” she said.
She urged residents to take proactive measures, such as safeguarding properties and preparing for future storms.
Cartwright was joined by Queensland Reconstruction Authority CEO Jake Elwood and “Get Ready Queensland” ambassador Johnathan Thurston, who highlighted how severe weather can disrupt daily life and urged Queenslanders to make a household emergency plan and prepare a disaster kit to ensure they are ready for any event.
“Extreme weather can impact any Queenslander and the everyday parts of our life we take for granted, for example. access to electricity and clean water, going to the shops, travelling to work or school, [and] the safety of our family and home,” Thurston said.
Suncorp is continuing its involvement in the campaign by attending the Brisbane Emergency Services Expo on Oct. 12, helping promote the message: “Weather doesn’t plan, but you can.” The campaign encourages Queenslanders to assess their disaster risks and take steps to protect their homes as the state enters its storm season.
