Giant hail warning for Sunshine Coast, Gympie, Logan, Ipswich

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for people in parts of Ipswich, Gympie, Logan, Somerset, Scenic Rim, Sunshine Coast and Noosa Council Areas.

A winter wonderland at Flaxton after hail came down on the Sunshine Coast during storms. Photo: Kristen Brearley

Large hail, strong winds, heavy rain and flash flooding could hit Qld regions on Friday afternoon after wild storms damaged cars, homes and wiped out power to thousands yesterday.

Brisbane copped it on Friday with wild images of hail and a mini tornado on the Brisbane River emerging

At 2.14pm, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for people in parts of Ipswich, Gympie, Logan, Somerset, Scenic Rim, Sunshine Coast and Noosa Council Areas.

“A very dangerous thunderstorm likely to produce giant hailstones was detected near Kooralbyn,” the BOM warning said.

“This thunderstorm is moving towards the north. It is forecast to affect Boonah and the area between Boonah and Beaudesert by 2:40pm and Beaudesert and Bundamba Lagoon by 3:10pm.

“Other severe thunderstorms likely to produce large hailstones and damaging winds were detected near Borumba Dam and the area southwest of Eumundi.

“These thunderstorms are moving towards the northeast. They are forecast to affect the area southwest of Noosa Heads and Imbil by 2:40pm and Noosa Heads and Pomona by 3:10pm.”

Higgins Storm Chasing earlier predicted severe storms with hail of five to 10 centimetres, winds of more than 125km/h could impact southeast Queensland, with high risk areas from the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Ipswich as well as inland areas.

Photographer Phil Johnson captured these images of lightning over Burnside on the Sunshine Coast during the storms.

On Thursday, areas of the Sunshine Coast to Gympie were hammered with golf ball size hail and heavy rain.

Rain and hail hitting Mooloolah on the Sunshine Coast. Photo: Terry Daly

Cooroy, in the Noosa hinterland, copped much of the hail, along with places like Mapleton and Kureelpa around Nambour.

Many reported they had also lost Channel 9 with speculation a transmission tower may have been taken out during the storm.

The storms sent trick or treaters scrambling for cover with many parents opting to pull out of the hunt for lollies.

Storm cell approaching Yandina on Thursday afternoon. Picture Lachie Millard

Cooroy had almost 100mm of rain in the extreme weather downpour, while 78mm fell at Maroochy Intake Weir, 76mm at Black Mountain, 75mm at Mapleton and 70mm at Cooloolabin Dam.

More storms are expected from the Gold Coast to Gympie and beyond on Friday. Photo: Weatherwatch

Homes and business lost power after more than 150,000 lightning strikes.

There were about 500 homes without power on the Sunshine Coast and Gympie on Friday.

The State Emergency Service received more than 50 requests for assistance, mostly for structural damage to properties.

Hail at Delaney's Creek. Photo: Annie Sawyer/Higgins Storm Chasing

The weather bureau said on Friday more severe thunderstorms were expected to develop on Friday across the southeast initially and then moving north towards Wide Bay and Burnett regions into the evening.

More to come

Originally published as Giant hail warning for Sunshine Coast, Gympie, Logan, Ipswich