Western Queensland smashed by violent storm front rolling towards state’s southeast

The first Queenslanders to be hit by a “violent” storm front rolling from the state’s southwest towards the southeast were left fearing for their lives as car windows blew out and roofs were ripped off.

Queenslanders first to be slammed by a “violent” storm moving to the east say they had never been so scared in their lives as car windows blew out and roofs were ripped off.

The wild storm ripped through Adavale in western Queensland on Tuesday night bringing heavy rain, hail and brutal winds which whipped up sand.

The windows of Myles Allan’s car shattered when a storm ripped through a rally at Adavale.

The storm front is moving east and is expected to deliver large hail, damaging winds and heavy rain to southeast Queensland over the next two days.

Publican Koss Siwers thought he could hear a freight train as the short-lived storm moved over the town of 25 residents.

Damage caused by wild weather in Adavale on Tuesday night. Photo: Jamie and Michelle Lawson

He said his mind immediately turned to almost 100 visitors who were camping in town for a car rally.

“The poor buggers were in small tents,” Mr Siwers said.

“It was absolutely shocking.

“I went around there this morning and their swags had been blown a long way and two cars had the windows blown out.”

Damage caused by wild weather in Adavale on Tuesday night. Photo: Jamie and Michelle Lawson

Mr Siwers said the worst-hit locals were the owners of the Elegant Emu patisserie which had the roof ripped off.

“We’re supposed to get more rain this afternoon so hopefully the SES or something can bring down tarps otherwise it’s going to get very wet in,” he said.

“No yard was left unscathed.

“In my 10 years here, I’ve never experienced anything like it - we had a whopper.”

The Elegant Emu patisserie at Adavale lost its roof.

Mr Siwers said no one had been injured.

Jenny Back was among those camped out for the rally and described a vicious sandstorm which brought hail and brutal winds.

“It was violent beyond description and my partner and I were holding onto our tent for dear life,” she said.

“I’ve never been so frightened.

“We woke up to find cars filled with mud and debris but otherwise it was like it never happened- there was a glorious sunrise.”

Damage caused by wild weather in Adavale on Tuesday night. Photo: Jamie and Michelle Lawson

Jamie Lawson who organised the charity Road Boss Rally described the shocking weather event as “like a hurricane”.

“I’ve been working in the bush for 20 years and we’ve been through plenty of sandstorms but I’ve never seen anything like that,” Mr Lawson said.

“People lost their swags, some actually got stuck in their tents by the wind, people were blown over, cars were pushed into tents and roofing iron was gone.

“It was pretty scary but thankfully no one was injured and we all helped each other out in the morning.”

Quilpie Shire Council said workers descended on the town in the afternoon for the clean up.

Residents reported more than 50mm falling across parts of western Queensland overnight.

Jamie and Michelle Lawson received damage to there car and portable toilet during a storm that slammed Adavale, west of Charleville, late on September 28, 2021. Picture Supplied

About 50mm fell on Tooloombilla, 90km north of Mitchell, while residents recorded 46mm at Abbieglassie and 44mm at Silverleaf Creek.

A family 76km south of Mitchell reported having their first hail storm in 21 years.

BOM meteorologist Helen Reid said the bureau didn’t have recordings for Adavale during the wild storm but wind speeds reached 69km/h over night at Longreach and 65km/h at Charleville.

The weather system is expected to keep moving east, on Thursday reaching South East Queensland where the worst of the weather is expected on Friday.

Up to 40mm of rain could fall on parts of the state across the next few days.