‘Surprise’ storms lash SEQ as sink hole causes traffic chaos

Coronation Drive fully reopened mid Thursday afternoon after urgent repairs to a sinkhole that opened up during severe storms that swept through the southeast. VIDEOS, PICTURES

• Coast in firing line for fresh storms

Urgent repairs were needed on one of Brisbane’s busiest roads after a sinkhole appeared after severe storms overnight.

The storms led to widespread power outages, property damage and major delays for the southeast’s train network.

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The Bureau of Meteorology did not issue any storm warnings ahead of the early-morning weather system, and forecaster Danny Johnson said the storm’s intensity was a surprise.

“We sort of knew they were happening but the modelling and the observations didn’t actually meet the criteria to put out a warning,” he said.

“It was more winds, thunder and lightning expected particularly in Brisbane rather than that damaging rain that we saw, and the Sunshine Coast had it much worse, more intense.”

There were 290,000 lightning strikes during Thursday's storms, according to Energex. Picture:

Some of the biggest falls were in Forest Hills and Ocean View where more than 40mm fell in under six hours.

Mr Johnson said that about 391 lightning strikes a minute, with about 250,000 lightning strikes recorded overall.

A storm crosses over Brisbane in the early hours of Thursday morning. Picture: BOM

The storms left some 23,000 homes without power across the region, including some 10,000 homes on the Sunshine Coast.

Most of the damage was around Nambour, Highworth, Palmwoods, Mapleton, Montville, along the Tanawha Tourist Drive as well as out to Obi Obi and Witta.

The SES reported 25 call-outs for help following the storms.

The incredible lightning show over the Sunshine Coast on Thursday morning. Picture: Sam Tollison McIntyre

Fierce electrical storms hit the Nambour area about 1am Thursday with a thunder and lightning show that went out for about 20 minutes or more.

“Must have been a big storm! I have a tree down across my driveway and power outage in Woombye,’’ one woman wrote on social media.

“I just drove to Sippy Downs for work, barely anywhere has power,’’ another person from Nambour reported.

A tree struck by lightning in Brisbane's western suburbs. Picture: Ami Anderson

While Rodney O’Brien reported a big lightning strike somewhere close to his house at Kawana.

He said there was a loud bang and the whole house shook and place went white.

“Then I heard Kawana Shopping Centre evacuation alarms going off,” he said.

Numerous powerlines were down after severe storms swept through South East Queensland. Picture: Energex

The wild weather comes ahead of an anticipated spike in the temperature, with the mercury forecast to climb to the mid-30s in the state’s capital.

Forecasters had predicted it would be the hottest December day in three years, but it is now likely to be cooler than expected.

On Wednesday temps climbed above 40C in parts of the state, with Birdsville getting to 45.6C just before 2pm.

It is hoped the heatwave will be short lived, however, with a cooler change moving in on Friday.

SINK HOLE BEHIND BRISBANE TRAFFIC CHAOS

Urgent repairs were carried out to a sinkhole that opened up on Coronation Drive on Thursday morning.

Civic Cabinet Chair for City Standards Kim Marx said traffic delays were expected.

“Crews are currently on site making urgent repairs to a sinkhole on Coronation Drive, Auchenflower, near Land Street,” Ms Marx said.

“Please avoid the area if possible so repairs can be done as quickly and safely as possible.”

A police spokesman said diversions would be in place for several hours until the hole is filled and the road could be repaired

Workers look at a sink hole that formed on Coronation Drive at Auchenflower on Thursday morning. Picture: Andreas Nicola

A sink hole that formed on Coronation Drive at Auchenflower on Thursday morning. Picture: Andreas Nicola

The hazard was causing traffic disruptions by 7am. Repairs were finally completed about 2.30pm, with all lanes reopened.

Carmel Towler, of Auchenflower, who was walking by the area, said it was quite a peculiar thing to see in the morning.

Traffic on Coronation Drive after a sink hole formed. Picture: Andreas Nicola

“It’s a very busy road, it’s going to create havoc with only one lane when there’s usually three,” she said

“I think the interest is what caused it. Is it water collecting there?”

Traffic on Coronation Drive after a sink hole formed. Picture: Andreas Nicola

Rosie Butler, also of Auchenflower, said she hasn’t seen anything like the sink hole before.

“I ran into my neighbours. I was already walking my dog and they said to come check it out,” she said.

“But I was left wondering if there was there anyone driving over when it fell in.”

Traffic builds on Coronation Drive at Auchenflower on Thursday morning after a sink hole formed. Picture: Andreas Nicola

There have also been delays of up to 60 minutes across all train services, but they have reduced down to 30 minutes.

South East Queensland residents woke to thunder claps, lightning and heavy falls today, with the state’s capital recording 29mm of rain by 5am.

Gatton, west of Brisbane, received 27mm in the same time frame, while Nambour, on the Sunshine Coast, recorded falls of 21.4mm.

Originally published as ‘Surprise’ storms lash SEQ as sink hole causes traffic chaos