An intense band of thunderstorms has wreaked havoc across southeast Queensland overnight, leaving thousands of homes without power and communities bracing for further severe weather.
Widespread Damage and Power Outages
The storm system delivered torrential rain and damaging winds, with some areas receiving up to 60mm of rainfall. The severe conditions resulted in significant damage to the power network, initially leaving approximately 11,000 properties in the dark.
As of the latest reports, restoration efforts are underway, but more than 2000 properties in the towns of Laidley and Brightview, located in the Lockyer Valley region, remain without electricity. Emergency crews are working to restore services as quickly as possible.
Flood Threats and Community Preparations
Meanwhile, the threat of flooding is escalating in other parts of the state. Residents in low-lying areas of Rockhampton are preparing to evacuate their homes as river levels continue to rise. Authorities have warned that people could be cut off when local rivers peak early this week.
Farmers are actively moving livestock to higher ground to protect their assets, while business owners and residents are sandbagging properties. These preparations are in anticipation of the final effects of ex-tropical cyclone Koji, which continues to influence weather patterns across the region.
More Storms Forecast, Tragedy in NSW
Senior meteorologist from the Bureau of Meteorology, Dean Narramore, has indicated that another day of storms is expected on Sunday, although he predicts they will be less intense than those experienced overnight. He also noted ongoing flooding issues in inland Queensland and further rain and storms in the state's north.
The wild weather was not confined to Queensland. Sydney and surrounding areas in New South Wales were also battered overnight, with the state's emergency service receiving a staggering 1400 calls for help. Tragically, the storms claimed a life in NSW on Saturday when a tree branch fell onto a car on Macquarie Pass, south of Wollongong, killing a woman who was driving.
Communities across both states are now on high alert, cleaning up from the initial onslaught while vigilantly monitoring forecasts for the next round of severe conditions.
