Queensland

Queensland storms: 13,000 south-east homes and Brisbane Airport runway lose power

Two severe storm cells have caused chaos across south-east Queensland on Saturday afternoon, leaving thousand of homes without power and Brisbane without its runway lights.

Brisbane received 17 millimetres of rain, with the airport getting 32 and Alexandra Hills registering more than 50.

Severe thunderstorms left a trail of destruction across south-east Queensland on Saturday afternoon.
Severe thunderstorms left a trail of destruction across south-east Queensland on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Glenn Hunt

Just before 5pm, more than 13,000 homes were without power, roofs were strewn across backyards and Doomben races had been abandoned as storms tore through Brisbane before moving off the coast.

Brisbane Airport also lost its runway lights for about 45 minutes, but no flights were impacted.

There was some flash flooding at Brookside Shopping Centre with water leaking from the ceiling.
There was some flash flooding at Brookside Shopping Centre with water leaking from the ceiling. Photo: Supplied

There was also flash flooding at Brookside Shopping Centre and reports motorists pulled over through Enoggera and Mitchelton because the rain was so heavy.

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The Bureau of Meteorology had issued a severe thunderstorm warning for south-east Queensland with damaging winds, heavy rainfall and large hailstones expected.

BoM senior forecaster Michelle Berry said the trough had dumped on average 10-20 millimetres of rain in other parts of the south-east before reaching the state's capital city.

Two severe storm cells track across south-east Queensland and move offshore
Two severe storm cells track across south-east Queensland and move offshore Photo: Toby Crockford

Brisbane also exceeded predictions on Saturday, with a top temperature of 31.6 degrees reached, surpassing the predicted maximum of 30.

The severe thunderstorms could also return on Sunday.

"We are anticipating the trough to be located near Great Dividing Range and bring risk of severe storms in south-east Queensland tomorrow," Ms Berry said.

But relief is in sight, with top temperatures dropping to the early 30s and late 20s next week and the humidity easing from Monday onwards.

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