Wild weather: Tornadoes, dust storm and more severe thunderstorms

Queenslanders should brace for more wild weather after a tornado ripped through a farm and wild storms brought 91km/h winds and terrifying dust storms.

Inland parts of Queensland continue to be menaced by severe storms, following wild conditions and a reported “tornado” overnight.

A number of severe thunderstorms rolled through the Darling Downs and Maranoa and Warrego regions during Friday evening, before warnings were cancelled about 9.15pm. It comes after a ‘tornado’, heavy rain and dust storms tore through parts of southeast Queensland on Thursday night, leaving a trail of destruction as wind gusts hit tops of 91km/h.

Severe thunderstorms are likely tomorrow across #SEQld, with damaging winds, large hail, heavy rainfall. Very dangerous thunderstorms also possible in red area, with destructive winds and giant hail. For the latest forecasts and warnings: https://t.co/xhhEZNyxS3. pic.twitter.com/AWwW2dgbHd

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) October 29, 2021

Huge farm sheds housing scores of prime movers and heavy farming equipment was flattened after locals said a tornado ripped through a large cattle station near Goondiwindi, with the wild gusts tearing it to shreds.

The collapsed shed pieces on heavy farming equipment. Photo: Brodie Cook

Trucks were in the shed when it was ripped to shreds. Photo: Brodie Cook

“Well 2021 harvest we survived a tornado, get all the gear in the shed before the storm hits and all us boys in the shed having a beer and this happens,” wrote Brodie Cook on footage he posted of the flattened sheds at Kindon Station.

“Everyone OK but Kindon Station is a war zone, most sheds gone, hand full of silos, sippy cup time I think.”

The Bureau of Meteorology was not able to confirm if there were any official tornadoes recorded across the state overnight.

The shed was flattened. Photo: Brodie Cook

The cattle station was left looking like a war zone. Photo: Brodie Cook

Dust storms were also circulating around the southern end of the state, particularly in Thargomindah in southwest Queensland where wind gusts reached 91km/h just after 5pm last night.

Residents posted armageddon-like photos of the town being enveloped in a blanket of red dust.

A massive dust storm that blew through Thargomindah. Picture Instagram @explorebulloo

Meanwhile, neighbouring towns were hit with plenty of rain with totals across yesterday and last night reaching tops of 74mm in Thornton in the Lockyer Valley Region and 56mm in Upper Western Creek, just north of the New South Wales border.

The Thargomindah landscape was turned red by the dust storm. Picture Instagram @explorebulloo

The dust storm made for eerie photos. Picture Instagram @explorebulloo

Just before 8pm last night, the Bureau of Meteorology issued southeast Queensland a severe storm warning specifically for the stretch between the Gold Coast Hinterland, the Scenic Rim, Greater Toowoomba and Oakey.

An incredible shot of lightning hitting Nobby in the Toowoomba region last night. Picture: Chris Munro/@My Australia Down Under.

The warning included damaging winds, bursts of heavy rainfall and locally large hail.

But Queenslanders haven’t seen the end of it just yet, according to BOM meteorologist James Thompson, who said there’s still a chance of severe thunderstorms for those southern areas.

“There’s a chance of showers and storms today, and another chance of showers and storms tomorrow in parts of Queensland’s eastern interior and north west,” he said.

While it should clear up for some parts of the state early next week, the chance of showers will hang around for the east coast, while storms and showers remain likely for the western areas.