Toowoomba storm chaos: Roads closed, roofs torn off as power lines fall

Wild weather has played havoc across Toowoomba with multiple reports of downed power lines and tree limbs.

Emergency services have responded to multiple serious incidents after Toowoomba was battered by a wild storm.

The large storm hit the Garden City about 4pm Sunday, bringing heavy rain and wind gusts of up to 80km/h, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

The strong winds caused tree branches and power lines to come downs across the city.

All lanes of James St, near the intersection with West St are cut after a fallen tree branch brought down power lines.

A tree and branches on James St after a storm, Sunday, October 26, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Queensland Fire Department crews responded to a call for assistance at a Ruthven St restaurant near the intersection with Archibald St after its roof was torn off.

In a separate incident a person was trapped in their car in Middle Ridge by live power lines.

Again, a fallen branch brought down the power lines which draped over the person’s car.

A Queensland Fire Department spokesman said the person was safe but could not leave the vehicle until Ergon Energy cut the power.

A tree fell on the Spring St after a storm, Sunday, October 26, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Both lanes of traffic on Spring Street in Middle Ridge were closed to traffic.

At Clifford Gardens Shopping Centre, the strong winds caused severe damage to the shade sails over the carpark. The storm caused many of them to rip free from their support poles.

In Underwood Crescent in Harristown downed power lines are impacting a house after they were brought down by a tree branch.

As of 5.30pm Sunday, Ergon Energy was responding to multiple downed powerlines, as more than 6100 homes and businesses were without mains electricity.

A tree and branches on the Spring St after a storm, Sunday, October 26, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

A home in Wattle Ridge, Millmerran has also reportedly lost its roof.

Several sections of the Gore Highway at Westbrook are closed to traffic as they are blocked by multiple fallen trees.

The public is reminded to stay clear of downed power lines and call triple-0.