Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 3:54 pm Tuesday, 26 December 2023.

HIGH-END SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRING AROUND TAROOM.

Weather Situation: Thunderstorms developing to the east of a trough across eastern Queensland with favourable moisture and instability present. Broad support from an upper trough traversing across southern Queensland will enhance the risks of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in the Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett, Southeast Coast and parts of the Central Coast and Whitsundays, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Maranoa and Warrego and Darling Downs and Granite Belt districts. Locations which may be affected include Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Maroochydore, Gympie, Kingaroy, Coolangatta and Ipswich.

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, Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett and Darling Downs and Granite Belt districts. Locations which may be affected include Taroom, Mundubbera and Eidsvold.

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.