BREAKING: A severe supercell thunderstorm has left nine people injured during a school fair at Esk State School in Queensland, as the region braces for more chaotic weather. The intense storm, which unleashed giant hailstones measuring up to 9 cm, hit southeast Queensland on Saturday afternoon, prompting emergency services to respond quickly.
All nine individuals suffered hail-related injuries, with one woman transported to Ipswich Hospital for serious neck and head injuries. A man in his 20s was taken to Gatton Hospital with minor burns. Two additional women, aged in their 20s and 30s, were also hospitalized with minor injuries.
The storm wreaked havoc across the region, shattering car windows and damaging homes as it moved from central Queensland down to northern New South Wales, drenching areas such as Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued weather alerts well into the evening, warning residents of continued risks.
As of 6 PM, nearly 3,000 properties in southeast Queensland were without power due to the storm’s impact. In the town of Pratten, business owner Richard Manley reported hail nearly the size of tennis balls crashing through skylights, causing extensive damage to vehicles parked outside.
“Basically, all the cars in the car park had their windscreen smashed, and a Land Cruiser lost nearly every panel on the car,” he stated. The storm’s ferocity included hailstones up to 7 cm in parts of New South Wales, while Grafton in the Northern Rivers region received an astonishing 70 mm of rain in just half an hour.
Weather experts warn that while storms are expected to continue into Sunday, they will likely affect a smaller area. “Many places will not see the same risk,” said Angus Hines, a forecaster from the Bureau of Meteorology. However, he cautioned that the threat remains.
Additionally, severe storms, damaging winds, and further giant hail are forecast for Sunday afternoon. Glen Alderton from Queensland’s SES urged residents to remain vigilant: “If you are in an area where you hear thunder, it’s probably a good cue to go inside,” he advised.
This developing situation continues to pose risks for residents as authorities track the storms and provide updates on weather conditions. Stay tuned for more urgent developments as this story unfolds.
