Parts of south-east Queensland have been hit by giant hailstones, heavy rainfall and damaging winds, with the region on alert for more storm activity on Saturday afternoon
At Pratten, west of Warwick in the Southern Downs region, nine centimetre giant hail – large enough to cause damage to cars and homes – was reported at about 1pm.
At MJ’s Cafe in the rural township, about two-and-a-half hours west of Brisbane, opening day turned chaotic when “tennis ball-sized hail” hit.
Mr Manley says he has been left with a huge clean-up, with “almost tennis ball sized” hail falling. (Supplied: Richard Manley)
Owner Richard Manley said the roof was entirely “smashed in” when the storm moved quickly through town.
“We basically had everyone huddled in our kitchen area because the roof came down in the actual bar area,” he said.
“There was golf ball-sized hail coming into the bar smashing into the counter.”
The giant hail caused damage to windscreens in Pratten. (Supplied: Richard Manley)
Several motorists with smashed windscreens pulled in seeking shelter, he said.
“We had about thirty people who were driving past, their car windows getting smashed and they saw refuge and they just pulled in,” Mr Manley said.
The storm was still brewing near Munbilla in the Scenic Rim around 1:40pm. (Supplied: Natalie Ward)
In the Scenic Rim, two centimetre hailstones were reported at Mount Walker.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued severe thunderstorm warnings for large parts of south-east Queensland, the Darling Downs as well as parts of central Queensland.
Senior meteorologist Harry Clarke said the warning area was broad, and not every location was likely to receive thunderstorm activity.
“It will be hit and miss… but the risk of that severity is quite high today,” he said.
“[Saturday is] one of the riskiest days of the years in terms of severe thunderstorm activity.”
“Activity may extend well into the night across the south east, with an increased risk of heavy rainfall overnight, and [potential for] flash flooding.”
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