Eerie ‘funnel cloud’ formation amid wild Queensland weather

More severe storms are forecast in central and southern Queensland as a La Nina weather pattern flexes its muscle.

A funnel cloud, at Warwick looking due east toward Killarney in Queensland. Picture: Chris McFerran

The La Nina weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean has made her presence felt in central and southern Queensland with an afternoon of wild storms set to be repeated on Wednesday.

In under an hour on Tuesday afternoon, 72mm filled the Brisbane city rain gauge in the largest single downpour since February, and the heaviest October fall since 2010.

To the north, Caboolture, Beachmere and Toorbul copped just under 100mm, resulting in more than 60 calls for help to the State Emergency Service.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Brian Cox said most related to property damage due to falling trees and branches, along with the odd driver caught in rising floodwaters.

More than 5000 homes lost power but a threatening “funnel cloud” photographed by Carmel Farrell over Warwick west of Brisbane, spared residents any tornado-like effects after failing to reach the ground.

Assistant Commissioner Cox said storm warnings had been issued almost 24-hours in advance by the Bureau of Meteorology but many people were unprepared after months with little or no rainfall.

“COVID and fire are more in the forefront of people’s minds than storms but it’s amazing the amount of damage rain does cause,” he said.

“It can be very frightening for elderly people so I would urge people to look after their own families, then look to your neighbour. We need more community resilience.”

BOM meteorologist Peter Claassen said storms forecast for Wednesday had the potential to be even more severe, for a vast area stretching from Rockhampton in central Queensland to Coolangatta on the Gold Coast.

“There will be similar potential hazards such as large hail, destructive wind gusts and heavy rain leading to flash flooding,” Mr Claassen said.

It was likely the storms would be the first of many this season, due to the La Nina weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean.

Normally associated with above average rainfall, the presence of La Nina increases the chance of widespread flooding.

According to the BOM, of the 18 La Niña events since 1900, 12 had resulted in floods for some parts of Australia.

Assistant Commissioner Cox urged residents to secure their homes by removing potential missiles from the yard, flipping over trampolines, and clearing gutters.

“It really does make a difference to prepare your home. Get an emergency kit together, with a torch, radio, batteries, those things that you know you will need if power is lost,” he said.

“If you are caught out in such an event, try to get your car undercover but whatever you do, don’t seek shelter under a tree. And do remember that if it’s flooded forget it.

“The more you put yourself at risk, the more you take away from the emergency services looking at other incidents.”

Storms delivered Brisbane its second wettest October day on record after dumping 71.4mm on the city in under an hour. Picture: Josh Woning