Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Wide Bay Burnett region

Thousands are without power and residents have reported giant hail, while the Wide Bay Burnett region has been warned to brace for more severe thunderstorms.

Parts of Wide Bay Burnett have been hit with massive hailstones as the region is warned to brace for severe thunderstorms.

Pictures have been shared to social media of hail the size of palms on Thursday afternoon with more wet and wild weather on the way.

One resident said, “holy moly” and asked if people in Curra were OK.

Facebook picture by Dana Fischer of giant hail which hit Curra on the afternoon of 8 December, 2022.

It has been reported hailstones up to seven or eight cm in size fell in the area.

About 17,000 homes are without power from the Mary Valley to Curra as hail continues to fall in the Mary Valley as well as Bells Bridge.

The storm, after passing over Widgee and Curra, is heading across Rainbow Beach.

The Bureau of Meteorology has recorded up to 50km/h wind speed but is expecting up to 90km/h, spokesman Patch Clapp said.

The bureau encourages residents to keep an eye on alerts and warnings.

“All the ingredients are right … for giant hail,” Mr Clapp said.