Stanthorpe, Applethorpe smashed by giant hail as severe storms unleash

Parts of the state’s south have been smashed with hailstones up to 8cm in diameter as other regions are warned to brace for destructive winds, potentially giant hailstones and heavy rain.

Hailstones of more than 8cm in diameter were found in Stanthorpe, causing damage to the local area.

Parts of the state’s south have been smashed with hailstones up to 8cm in diameter as other regions are warned to brace for destructive winds, potentially giant hailstones and heavy rain.

Hailstones between 6cm to 8cm were reported in the area to the north of Stanthorpe between 6pm and 6.30pm Tuesday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, while wind gusts up to 107km/h were recorded at Yeppoon and other regions recorded more than 55mm of rain in an hour.

Giant, baseball-sized hailstones have reportedly fallen at Stanthorpe Tuesday afternoon in a severe storm. Picture: Higgins Storm Chasing

Thunderstorms hit multiple parts of the state from about 3pm, with the Stanthorpe storm since moving slowly past Warwick toward the area just west of Allora before the warning for damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall was cancelled at 7.30pm.

The weather bureau said those severe storms had temporarily eased but could redevelop.

More than 3000 properties in the Central Highlands Regional Council area lost their power following the storms.

The affected households were in Blackwater, Bluff, Capella, Comet, Emerald, Lilyvale, Dingo, Jellinbah, Mackenzie RIver, Lowesby, Duaringa and Marlborough.

More than 5000 properties across regional Queensland reamined without power, according to Ergon Energy.

Giant, baseball-sized hailstones have reportedly fallen at Stanthorpe this afternoon in a severe storm. Picture: Linda Lennon

It comes after 46mm of rain was recorded at Sutties Creek in Far North Queensland in the 30 minutes to 4.21pm, while 58mm was recorded at Emerald Crest near Mareeba in the 60 minutes to 3.22pm.

More than 40 roads in the South Burnett region, including Bunya Highway, were closed following the rain brought by the severe thunderstorm.

At least four roads in Toowoomba remained closed due to flash flooding.

South Burnett Regional Council said its local disaster management group stood down as the immediate threat passed.

A roof smashed by hail. Picture: Higgins Storm Chasing

“Transition from the event to normal core business and/or recovery operations is occurring,” the notice said.

“Council has sustained significant damage to our road network. Our crews priority will be to re-open our state controlled roads then focus on council roads.

“Bridges cannot be reopened until bridge inspections can be carried out by certified bridge inspectors. Please be mindful, this can take time.

“We are seeking the community’s patience and understanding while we navigate and inspect our road network.”

The BoM said severe thunderstorms were no longer occurring in the Maranoa and Warrego, Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Wide Bay and Burnett, North Tropical Coast and Tablelands districts and the warnings for these districts were cancelled.

Giant hailstones in Applethorpe compared to the size of a Nerf dart. Picture: Higgins Storm Chasing

Stormclouds over Toowoomba. Picture: Libby Cee/Facebook

Originally published as Stanthorpe, Applethorpe smashed by giant hail as severe storms unleash