Brisbane, Gold Coast storm: Colossal system destroys cities and with flights heavily delayed at Brisbane Airport and giant hail reported – while rain hits elsewhere on the east coast
A massive storm is hitting southeast Queensland, delaying several flights from Brisbane at the busiest time of year.
A car was reportedly struck by a lightning bolt in the city’s north at around 9.20am and golf ball-sized hail was reported in Tara, about 300 kilometers west of Brisbane.
Gold Coast residents have lost all TV and radio broadcast signals after the transmitter on Mount Tamborine went dark on Saturday morning.
The transmitter was powered by backup generators after massive storms on Christmas Day.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned on Saturday that “several waves of thunderstorms” would cause extensive damage near Brisbane.
Several flights at Brisbane Airport (above) have been delayed due to a massive storm in the area
Tara, about 300km west of Brisbane, saw golf ball-sized hail (above) on Saturday morning after a ‘several thunderstorms’ warning from the Bureau of Meteorology
“Likely a thunderstorm, possibly severe with damaging winds, large hail and heavy rain that could lead to flash flooding,” the Bureau predicted.
“Light winds will become northerly 15 to 20 km/h in the early afternoon, then become light in the evening.”
The poor conditions have already delayed a number of flights from Brisbane Airport.
One traveler posted a grim picture of the storm, writing: ‘No flights in or out at the moment. It’s wild again.’
Brisbane Airport advised travelers to check the status of their flights.
A male driver was taken to Caboolture Hospital in a stable condition after his vehicle was struck by lightning.
He was traveling on the Bruce Hwy in Burpengary, north Brisbane, when lightning struck him at about 9.20am.
There were reports of minor flooding on the northbound Bruce Hwy at Burpengary, with traffic at a standstill.
Beerburrum recorded 110mm of rain in the two hours to 11am, Landsborough recorded 67mm in thirty minutes to 11.15am, while Wamuran in the Moreton Bay region recorded 66mm in the hour to 9.19am.
The Bureau warned: ‘likely thunderstorms, possibly severe with damaging winds, heavy hail and heavy rain that could lead to flash flooding’ (photo, storm over Brisbane)