Gold Coast weather: Strong wind warning issued following wild storm

A severe storm that cut off power, suspended the trains and caused damages across the Gold Coast has passed the city, but the wild weather isn’t over yet.

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The severe storm that left thousands of homes across the northern Gold Coast without power, suspended trains and made power lines fall has passed, but a strong wind warning has been issues for the city.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a strong wind warning for the Gold Coast and is expected to be in place until Tuesday, but the thunder and hailstorm that hit the city has moved away.

Stormy Sky from Miami on the Gold Coast. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

The winds on the Gold Coast are predicted by the BOM to reach up to 35km/h during Monday and Tuesday.

BOM forecaster Michael Grey said that the Gold Coast can expect dry conditions ahead with the temperatures heating up this week.

“The storm that hit the Gold Coast has moved out to sea, so we are expecting dry conditions for the rest of the week,” he said.

Loui Shiraseu and Sayaka Mulamatsu from Southport go for a surf a Main Beach on the Gold Coast with storm clouds overhead. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

“The weather has taken a turn and temperatures will be around the mid-20s for most of the week but are predicted to reach 30C on Thursday.

“The change in winds later today and Sunday will take the humidity.”

Saturday’s storm hit the north of the Gold Coast the hardest with South Stradbroke Island recording the city’s highest rainfall with 45mm, followed by North Tallebudgera with 42mm.

Thousands without power, trains suspended, after massive hailstorm

THOUSANDS of homes in Pimpama, Coomera, Gaven, Helensvale, Lower Beechmont, Nerang, Ormeau and Yatala are without power after a massive hailstorm struck on Saturday.

Queensland Fire and Emergency services and Gold Coast City Council issued emergency warnings at 2.30pm as the storm intensified, urging motorists to get off the road and seek shelter.

⚡🚨⚠️⚡ LIFE THREATENING STORMS IN #SEQLD, including #Brisbane #GoldCoast #Logan #Ipswich councils with 13cm HAIL reported at Hillcrest. Stay safe #Queensland. Listen to @QldFES advice and ABC radio for the latest as well as our warnings at https://t.co/MuDiLd5NCE pic.twitter.com/teDmeRe6ie

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) October 31, 2020

Hail was reported in a number of suburbs including Pacific Pines, Helensvale, Southport and Coomera.

The storm also caused disruption at state election polling booths, with candidates and their supporters forced to take cover.

A hailstone in Pacific Pines.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned people in southeast Queensland to prepare for more dangerous thunderstorms on Saturday afternoon and night.

“The Bureau is warning the situation is volatile and continuing to change quickly, and for their own safety people should actively monitor the Bureau and Emergency Services for updates and warnings as they will continue to change.

“Some of these storms are fast-moving and fast-forming, so people should consider whether they need to be outside or on the road.

“The threat will continue throughout the afternoon and into tonight.”

The wild storm was so furious motorists on the Gold Coast were forced to stop in the middle of the M1 and shelter in underpasses until the hailstorm eased.

Motorists seek shelter from the hail on the Pacific Motorway on the Gold Coast.

Trains were suspended between Nerang and Kuraby due to overhead powerlines being down, prompting delays of up to 60 minutes.

UPDATE: Beenleigh & Gold Coast line trains are now suspended between Nerang & Kuraby due to overhead power lines down. Expected delays of up to 60 mins. Alternative transport is operating to transport customers. https://t.co/o2YDJCcHnL #TLAlert #TLBeenleighline #TLGoldcoastline pic.twitter.com/UB6UalbABd

— TransLink (@TransLinkSEQ) October 31, 2020

More than 41,000 properties were without power as the supercells ravaged the southeast – 12,000 of them on the Gold Coast.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services have reportedly received around 1,000 storm related requests for assistance this afternoon already.

RACQ has already received 170 claims for property damage and 340 for cars.

Hail on the ground in Southport.

RACQ spokeswoman Lucinda Ross said plenty of damage has already occurred from the wild weather.

“We’ve been inundated with calls from members with damage and expect claim numbers to rise as this weather system moves across the region,” she said.

“The quickest way to start your claim with us is to lodge it online and our team will get back in touch as soon as possible.”

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