Coast in firing line of severe storms as tornado hits Brisbane
A severe thunderstorm warning has now been issued for the Gold Coast after Brisbane copped the brunt of a dangerous cell earlier this morning, including a tornado.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, severe thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near Hope Island, South Stradbroke Island and Coomera around 12.30pm.
The thunderstorms are slow-moving and are forecast to affect Jacobs Well by 1:30 pm.
“Damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding are likely,” BOM warned.
#GoldCoast Severe Thunderstorm #Warning has been issued for a storm detected near Hope Island, South Stradbroke Island and Coomera. The storm is moving slowly and damaging winds, heavy rainfall or large hailstones are likely. pic.twitter.com/LrVUwJ1mfk
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) October 22, 2021
A more general thunderstorm warning has also been issued for the South East, with the weather bureau confirming “another slow-moving supercell has been detected about the southeast coast”.
“Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours,” BOM said.
“Locations which may be affected include Gold Coast, Coolangatta, Mount Tamborine and Springbrook.”
It comes after 101mm of rain was recorded in just one hour at Brisbane Airport to 11am.
The Bureau has also confirmed that a tornado from a “supercell thunderstorm” touched down near Brisbane Airport about 10am today.
“Radar evidence was supportive of a tornado and video evidence showed it lasting less than a minute or two,” BOM tweeted.
The Bureau can confirm a tornado from a supercell thunderstorm touched down near @BrisbaneAirport about 10am today. Radar evidence was supportive of a tornado and video evidence showed it lasting less than a minute or two. Latest #QLDweather https://t.co/jHjIsg3ris pic.twitter.com/N9m9gDUOJ3
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) October 22, 2021
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure loose outdoor items.
* Never drive, walk or ride through flood waters. If it’s flooded, forget it.
* Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
* Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.
