Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Central Highlands and Coalfields, Wide Bay and Burnett, Maranoa and Warrego, Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Southeast Coast Forecast Districts.

Issued at 12:17 pm Saturday, 30 December 2023.

VERY DANGEROUS STORM S EXTENDING FROM CHINCHILLA TO INJUNE.

Weather Situation: A weak southeasterly change is linking up with a very moist and unstable airmass to trigger scattered severe thunderstorms across the southeast this morning.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Wide Bay and Burnett, Maranoa and Warrego, Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Southeast Coast districts. Locations which may be affected include Dalby, Maroochydore, Gympie, Kingaroy, Maryborough, Cooroy, Nambour, Nanango and Rainbow Beach.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging, locally destructive winds, large, possibly giant hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Maranoa and Warrego and Darling Downs and Granite Belt districts. Locations which may be affected include Injune, Chinchilla and Miles.

93 km/h wind gust recorded at gYmpie at 11:58 am.

Beerburrum recorded 110 mm of rainfall in the 2 hours to 11:00 am.

Landsborough recorded 67 mm of rainfall in the 30 minutes to 11:15 am.

Wamuran 66mm in 1 hour to 9:19 am.

Tara observed 4-5cm hailstones around 10 am.

Emergency services advise people to:
* If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust.
* Pack away, secure or tie down outdoor furniture, toys and trampolines if it s safe to do so.
* Stay away from windows if there is giant hail.
* Park your car undercover away from trees.
* Close doors and windows.
* Keep asthma medications close by. Storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks.
* Charge mobile phones and power banks in case the power goes out.
* Put your pets somewhere safe and make sure they can be identified in case they get lost.
* Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous.
* Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area.
* Go inside a strong building now. Stay inside until the storm has passed.