Hail, strong winds lash Mackay in severe storm warning

Mackay and Whitsundays residents should prepare for more damaging wind gusts and large hail with another ‘concerning’ storm cell developing. What you need to know.

Residents across the Mackay and Whitsundays should prepare themselves for damaging wind gusts and large hail as another storm cell tracks over the region.

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Pieter Claassen said a “concerning” cell was currently tracking over the Marian and Mirani area and was likely to cross around Cape Hillsborough, Mount Jukes and Habana between now and 5.30pm.

“That cell could contain damaging wind gusts in excess of 90km/h and large hail greater than 2cm,” Mr Claassen said.

Mr Claassen said the storm would be an isolated short and sharp burst of activity similar to the storm experienced on Wednesday but was unlikely to impact the Mackay urban area.

He said the bureau was also monitoring two “interesting” cells further north around Proserpine.

“We don’t think it’s necessarily sever at this stage, it’s very borderline,” he said.

Kyle Pomeroy shared this photo of hail stones on Edward Street, Mackay during the storm on Wednesday, October 20. Picture: Kyle Pomeroy.

Mr Claassen said the Whitsunday cell was tracking north east towards Airlie Beach and there was a risk of it becoming more severe.

He said the Mackay Whitsunday region could expect up to 20mm of rainfall with a slight chance of further storms over the next couple of days.

“Thankfully (today) should be the last day of real risk,” Mr Claassen said.

“Mackay shouldn’t be in the firing line from tomorrow.”

He explained the thunderstorm cells were a result of cooler air than usual high up in the atmosphere.

“It really is the perfect set up to see these strong thunderstorms.”

Thursday’s storm activity comes after big hail and heavy rain lashed the wider Mackay region on Wednesday with backyards blanketed in ice and traffic brought to a standstill.

Areas north of Mackay copped heavy hail while the Mackay CBD was also hit, along with heavy rain and strong winds.

A Ball Bay backyard was left looking like a field of snow after a hailstorm crossed the north of Mackay about 2.30pm.

A thunderstorm left a Ball Bay backyard blanketed in hail on October 20. Picture: Ray Allen

Seaforth grandmother Judi Fredrickson said the two bursts of hail falling like a “sharp blast” over 15 minutes looked like snow from a distance.

“It was amazing because I haven’t seen hail since I was a teenager and that would be some forty plus years ago,” Mrs Fredrickson said.

She said the pieces were about the size of a 10c coin.

“It was powerful, strong and scary,” she said.

“It was absolutely awesome, it really was.”

Marian mum Teegan Paul collected these pieces of hail off her lawn during the storm on October 20, 2021. Picture: Teegan Paul

Hailstones about 4cm in width also cascaded down on CBD roofs as heavy rain bucketed down on the city.

Powerlines were also reportedly down on Nebo Rd, with more than 520 customers without electricity. Areas that were impacted included Alexandria, Bakers Creek, Nebo, Ooralea, Palmyra, Racecourse, Te Kowai, Walkerston and West Mackay.

Another 3085 customers were without power in Cremorne, Mackay Harbour, North Mackay and Slade Point.

Glenella’s Matthew Forrest with hail from his first Mackay hailstorm. Mackay and the surrounding region was hit with a severe thunderstorm about 3pm Wednesday, October 20, 2021. Picture: Rae Wilson

Another 78 customers were without power in Paget, with 2309 customers across Mackay’s north including Andergrove, Beaconsfield, and Slade Point also stripped of supplies.

Hail poured down on Mackay and surrounding areas on Wednesday afternoon. Picture: Ray Allen

Another 1639 customers in the Northern Beaches region including Bucasia, Eimeo and Rural View were also without supplies.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Helen Kirkup said strong winds of 54km/h had been reported at Mackay airport

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The storm brought down a massive tree in Jubilee Park as hail and strong winds lashed the region. Picture: Jodie Thompson

“Some places (could see) 10mm, 30mm, and some areas (could see) nothing,” Ms Kirkup said.

“We’ve had 30 knot winds coming through around the Mackay area.

“The storms are right along the coastal area.”

Hail bucketed down at a property in Marian on Wednesday afternoon. Picture: Teegan Paul

Hamilton Island recorded wind speeds of 52km/h at 2.30pm on Wednesday.

A thunderstorm left a Ball Bay backyard blanketed in hail on October 20. Picture: Dean Allen

Mackay airport had recorded 10mm at 2.45pm, with wind speed of 72km/h.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Yalboroo area north of Mackay, was hit by a “particularly dangerous thunderstorm”.

Residents reported giant hailstones around 16cm – a new Australian record.

The previous record (of 14cm) was recorded in southeast Queensland on October 30 last year.

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