Energex restoring power to 3000 Sunshine Coast homes after big storm

The Sunshine Coast hinterland has been smashed by hail following afternoon storms that spread across the region, also forcing Energex to down tools.

The Sunshine Coast hinterland has been smashed with hail as storms move across the region and thousands remain without power.

Energex spokesman Justin Coomber said the Sunshine Coast hinterland had experienced the bulk of the power outages and that the dozens of crews that were working during the day had to stop because of the weather.

About 4pm, more than 3000 homes were still without power across the Sunshine Coast, with nearly 800 in the Coes Creek area and 445 in the Forest Glen area.

“We do apologise for people but we do feel their pain because our crews live in the communities they service,” he said.

“As soon as it’s safe to do so, they’ll get into the restoration and repair work.”

Mike Lewis experienced golf-size hail at Kureelpa, near Mapleton.

In Kureelpa, near Mapleton, Mike Smith experienced golf ball-size hail when a storm hit the area about 2pm.

“We had hail for about 10 minutes, but is wasn’t a full-on hail downpour, just hail intermingled with the rain, which got progressively heavier,” he said.

Reign Dwyer-brown shared this amazing photo on the Sunshine Coast Daily Facebook page of Palmview as the afternoon storm crept over the suburb.

In Yandina and Maroochydore, pea-sized hail was reported and followed by heavy rain.

Mr Coomber said the use of a chopper earlier in the day to assess damage from the massive storm overnight had helped Energex quickly restore power to thousands of homes.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said fire crews were called to a tree and powerline down at Rapkins Rd, Beerburrum, at 3.25pm and had completed a callout to Kondalilla Falls Rd in Montville where tree branches had brought down powerlines.

Earlier today, fire crews and the State Emergency Service were in clean-up mode across the Sunshine Coast.

Reporter Asa Andersen found some hail in Maroochydore after the afternoon storms, which hit the Sunshine Coast about 2pm.

Energex spokesman Danny Donald said 165,665 lightning strikes were recorded in the Sunshine Coast area, and 290,000 recorded in South East Queensland, from 10pm on December 7 until the morning of December 8.

He said dozens of Energex crews were expecting “a long day” as they worked to restore power to 10,500 Sunshine Coast homes.

Tom Fowles shared an epic shot of lightning hitting the top of Mt Ninderry.

“If people see a powerline on the ground don’t go anywhere near it and call triple-0,” he said

The spokesman said suburbs most affected included Buderim, Mapleton and Montville and although Energex hoped to restore power to most areas throughout the day, crews may have to work into the evening.

Matt Filippi shared a photograph of a grand old tree down in the children's playground at La Balsa Park.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said the State Emergency Service received more than 20 requests for help in the Sunshine Coast, Ipswich and Moreton Bay areas.

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said fire crews had a busy morning in Buderim.

Crews arrived in Macadamia Crt about 7.45am to a powerline down through a property.

Fire crews had also been called to Clithero Ave just before 7am, where a tree was across the road.

Angie Rawlings is lamenting the loss of her children's trampoline following the massive storm in the Sunshine Coast.

She said the crews had helped the Sunshine Coast Council clean that up.

Another fire crew was also in Golf St about 6.20am following reports of a tree down on powerlines.

Fire crews and the State Emergency Service were also called to a tree and powerlines down in Mill Hill Rd and Balmoral Rd about 4.40am.

Rohan Saunders shared an incredible shot of the lightning, taken from Duporth Av looking east to Cotton Tree.

Sunshine Coast residents have shared to the Daily’s Facebook page photos and videos of the storm and its aftermath.

A spectacular shot of lightning hitting the top of Mt Ninderry was shared by Tom Fowles in Yandina Creek, and Matt Filippi shared a photograph of a grand old tree down in La Balsa Park.

Greg Brewer’s tent that he had set up ahead of a planned camping trip this weekend also got a good workout.

“Awoke to the storm at full rage at about 1am, the tent semi collapsed and not looking its best,” he said.

“Finally back in bed having retrieved the tent.

“Should be okay with some sun tomorrow.”

Originally published as Energex restoring power to 3000 Sunshine Coast homes after big storm