Mackay lightning storm leaves thousands without power, flash flooding

Thousands of people were left without power overnight after a spectacular storm saw the Mackay region struck by lightning more than 60,000 times.

Lightning captured over Mackay. PHOTO: Beau Lacy

More than 12,000 households lost power last night as major lightning and heavy rainfall lashed parts of Mackay.

Homes across Glenella, South Mackay, Racecourse and Bakers Creek were predominantly affected, some for only seconds, as 63,500 lightning strikes lit up the sky between 5pm and midnight last night.

Power was restored this morning for residents in Bakers Creek after strong winds caused debris to destroy power lines.

A Spokesman from Ergon Energy, Danny Donald, said while electricity was switched off to customers at various times between the storm, most households regained power by midnight.

“We are seeing about 51 customers still without supply in Dumbleton, Kuttabal, Mackay, Racecourse, Te Kowai, North Eton, Owen’s Creek and Pinnacle,” he said.

“The majority of customers are expecting to have their power restored by about midday today.

“Some were only out last night for about four seconds.

63,500 lightning strikes hit the Mackay region last night. PHOTO: Henry Moggs

The storm cell, which developed in the Central Highlands, dumped 53mm in the space of half an hour before making its way through Mackay, with Gooseponds recording 33mm.

Minor floods were seen on Golf Links Rd, Beaconsfield, though traffic is not affected this morning.

Senior Meteorologist at the BOM, Felim Hanniffy said while the cell had died down, already drenched areas were still a cause for concern.

“Thirty millimetres in a short duration could still create some localised spot flooding particularly on some of the roads as well when it falls in a short duration,” he said.

Lightning over Beaconsfield. PHOTO: Tanya Taylor

Mackay can expect a different weather pattern over the next few days with showers returning Tuesday, while North of Mackay and Bowen could experience thunderstorms in the coming day.

Meanwhile, Mackay residents witnessed a stunning light show as over 35,000 lightning strikes lit up the sky in the space of three hours.

It also marked 17 years since Mackay was hit with some of the worst floods in recent memory when more than 2000 homes were inundated by two months of rain in 10 hours.

An aerial view of Mackay during the 2008 floods. Photo Contributed

Days of relentless flooding caused devastation across Mackay, as some residents reported having one metre of water in their homes.

Described as being a “horrific mess” and forever etched in the minds of some residents, Mackay locals recalled the events via social media.

“The golf course was gone, there was shipping containers floating in the middle of the main road,” wrote Charlie Cavell Tanya.

Originally published as Mackay lightning storm leaves thousands without power, flash flooding