Sunshine Returns to Queensland After Destructive Storm Weekend
Residents in parts of Queensland are finally breathing a sigh of relief as sunshine breaks through after a weekend of vicious thunderstorms that lashed the southeast. The wild weather kept emergency crews on high alert, scrambling to respond to a deluge of calls for help.
State of Emergency: Widespread Damage and Power Outages
The severe weather system, which swept across the region on Sunday, brought heavy rain, destructive winds, and large hail, pummelling towns and triggering more than 130 emergency callouts. Some areas were absolutely drenched, copping more than 130mm of rainfall in a short period.
The storm's impact was felt far and wide, with significant power outages affecting thousands. On Friday, approximately 10,000 homes were left without power across Brisbane, Ipswich, Redland, Moreton Bay, Gold Coast, Scenic Rim, and Toowoomba. The chaos continued into Saturday, with less than 24 hours later, another 4,500 people on the Sunshine Coast losing power.
Meteorological Warnings: More Unsettled Weather on the Horizon
Meteorologist Angus Hines from the Bureau of Meteorology confirmed that a broad band of clouds and storms had affected eastern and northern parts of the country over the weekend, dumping "quite a lot of rain" on southeast Queensland.
While the worst of the weather has passed for the southeast, authorities are warning that flash flooding remains a possibility as the system continues its march north towards Cairns. Hines also warned of the chance of heavy rain in the tropical north.
Looking ahead, conditions in the southeast are expected to improve throughout the week. However, the reprieve may be short-lived. "The week could finish like it started with signs of another storm outbreak brewing across parts of NSW and southern Queensland," Hines said.
In a significant development for the new storm season, Hines also warned there is a chance of a tropical cyclone developing in the far north later in the week. "Do keep an eye on the far north on Friday, with a moderate chance of a tropical cyclone forming later in the week," he stated, which would be the first for the 2025–2026 season.
Contrasting Crises: NSW Faces Extreme Fire Danger
As Queensland deals with the aftermath of saturation, a starkly different crisis is unfolding in New South Wales. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a fire weather warning for parts of the state.
Warm, dry conditions combined with fresh and gusty west to southwesterly winds are creating elevated fire dangers. The NSW Rural Fire Service has issued an extreme fire danger level for the greater Hunter region, with a total fire ban in effect for areas including Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton, and the Upper Hunter.
A total fire ban is also in place for the northwestern region, including Moree Plains, Narrabri, Walgett, and the Warrumbungles, where the fire danger is high. The Greater Sydney Region is also facing a high fire danger risk, highlighting the severe weather contrasts across Australia's east coast.
The weekend's rain brought much-needed relief to some drought-affected areas in Queensland, but for many residents, the storms have meant dealing with damaged properties and the lingering threat of flooding.
