Get the appSix campers were rescued from floodwater at Leyburn in southern Queensland. A man was found dead in floodwaters at Boompa, and police are investigating the circumstances of his death. The Bureau of Meteorology warns of more thunderstorms across south-east Queensland this afternoon, with some possibly severe. Flooding is easing along the Mary River, though several bridges remain closed. Residents are urged not to drive through floodwater.
Severe storms with damaging winds, heavy rain and hail have hit several Australian states, with millions on alert. In South Australia, wind gusts near 100km/h damaged property around Port Augusta, and about 12,000 customers lost power. The Bureau of Meteorology warned of flash flooding and power outages across a large area, with severe thunderstorm warnings in place for Sydney and parts of New South Wales. In southern Queensland, eight flood warnings are active after days of torrential rain, and the Mary River is forecast to reach major flood levels.
Hail and heavy rain have damaged crops on a South Australian farm just ahead of an expected record harvest. About 30 millimetres of rain fell in 10 minutes at Kamora Park Poll Merino Station near Sandalwood, about 175 kilometres east of Adelaide. Stud principal Katelyn Boughen said at least half of a lupin crop may be damaged. Her aunt, Anne Boughen, estimated about a quarter of the crop, around 400 hectares, was lost. Storms also hit Lameroo and nearby towns, flooding a main street.
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Get the appSevere storms, hail and strong winds disrupted the 40th Alice Springs Masters Games this week. A Monday storm brought down powerlines and left about 9,000 properties without electricity. Tuesday's golf round was cancelled, and Wednesday's street party moved indoors. About 1,800 athletes competed in more than 20 sports. Competitors said residents helped clear fallen trees, and the athletes kept going.
Manly West has become Queensland's top home claims hotspot for the 2025-26 financial year, according to new Suncorp Insurance analysis. The leading location has shifted several times over five years, moving between Bracken Ridge, Maryborough, Gympie and Runaway Bay. Suncorp says Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and a giant hail outbreak drove significant claims in Manly West. Queensland SES urged households to prepare before warnings are issued, including clearing gutters and securing loose outdoor items. Suncorp's Future Ready Resilience Program, with a final report due in November 2027, is studying how storms affect Queensland homes.
Severe thunderstorms are moving east from Central Australia towards NSW and Queensland, bringing heavy rain, large hail and strong winds. Flash flooding has already hit northern NSW, and the State Emergency Service received more than 220 call-outs in 24 hours, mostly for fallen trees and damaged roofs. Several people were rescued from floodwaters in Greater Sydney. In Alice Springs, storms left about 3000 homes without power on Wednesday, and Power and Water NT says restoration in some areas could take several days. The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast damaging wind gusts for central Queensland.
Severe storms with winds of nearly 100km/h tore roofs from houses and damaged parts of Alice Springs on Monday afternoon. Repairs to the Double Tree Hilton are estimated to cost more than half a million dollars. Alice Springs cafe The Roastery discarded thousands of dollars of food after widespread power outages. At Undoolya Station, about 20 kilometres east of town, owner Ben Hayes described the storm as swirling like a tornado, with a historic storeroom roof torn off. Hailstones the size of golf balls fell at Lyndavale Station near the South Australian border.
A severe storm in Alice Springs has left about 3500 households and businesses without power after crews restored supply to 5500 customers by Tuesday afternoon. The Northern Territory Emergency Service received 101 calls for help, with 47 jobs still active on Tuesday. Strong winds ripped roofs from buildings and toppled trees, while large hailstones struck homes. Power and Water says safe restoration could take several days. Authorities reported no serious or life-threatening injuries, though some people received treatment for minor injuries. Residents have been urged to stay clear of fallen powerlines and damaged buildings.
A fast-moving storm cell with wind gusts of 96km/h has cut power to about 9,000 properties in Alice Springs. The Bureau of Meteorology recorded heavy rain and hail, while trees fell onto roads, powerlines and roofs. The Hilton DoubleTree hotel suffered damage, including to its ceiling. Officials warn that another severe storm is possible on Tuesday afternoon and evening, and residents have been urged to stay away from fallen powerlines.
Severe thunderstorms with large hailstones caused tree damage across Adelaide on Sunday. The State Emergency Service received more than 100 calls for help, with 80 per cent relating to fallen trees. Vale Park resident Niall Dowdell said a tree fell onto his car after heavy rain and thunder, and he suspected a lightning strike. Most call-outs were in Adelaide's north and had largely ended by nightfall. The Bureau of Meteorology said storm activity would continue across South Australia on Monday.
Warm spring conditions could develop into thunderstorms with the potential for hail across south-east Queensland this week. The Bureau of Meteorology said storms could hit south of Brisbane from Tuesday, with large hail possible near the New South Wales border, around the Gold Coast and inland to the Granite Belt. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to persist across southern areas until Thursday. Rainfall totals could range from one to 20 millimetres, with heavier falls possible on the Gold Coast. Isolated storms are also possible in Chinchilla, Rockhampton and Mackay.