A severe hailstorm that swept through south-east Queensland over the weekend has left a trail of destruction, injuring residents, damaging homes and vehicles, and prompting hundreds of insurance claims. The storms, which began on Saturday and intensified on Sunday, brought hailstones up to 8 centimetres in diameter, with some eyewitnesses describing the experience as “terrifying” and unlike anything they had seen before.
Storm Injures Market Vendor, Destroys Property
Terri-Ann Barnett, a small business owner from Esk in the Somerset region, was struck by large hailstones while selling at a school fair on Saturday afternoon. She was taken to Ipswich Hospital with a concussion after being hit on the back of the head. “The hailstones were big enough that they tore through all of the canopies, smashed all the cars and flipped tables,” Barnett said. “A lot of us were getting pummelled by the stones.”
Barnett, who started her business selling hair accessories and handbags nine months ago, said her market setup and half her stock were destroyed. “It is a little bit heartbreaking, we were just starting to gain a little bit of momentum,” she added. Other stallholders lost everything, but Barnett said volunteers helped ensure everyone was cared for.
Widespread Damage Across Somerset and Toowoomba
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning at 5:10 pm on Sunday, forecasting intense rainfall, damaging winds, and large hailstones for areas west of Esk and Kilcoy, including parts of Somerset, South Burnett, Toowoomba, and Lockyer Valley. The storm was slow-moving, with the bureau warning of dangerous flash flooding and significant property damage.
Residents in Googa Creek, south of Blackbutt, reported hailstones as large as 8 centimetres falling for about 20 minutes. Khia Chagas, a local resident, said her house was “shaking” as the hail continued to fall. “We’ve had bits and pieces of hail out our way before but nothing that size,” she said. The storm damaged solar panels, dented vehicles, and injured one of her horses.
Insurance Claims and Community Response
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) confirmed that more than 2,550 claims have been made as a result of the storms from Friday through Sunday. The areas most affected include Clifton, Pratten, and Esk. The ICA noted that damage to solar panels is typically covered under most insurance policies, but advised policyholders to check their Product Disclosure Statement and speak directly with their insurer.
“While the damage from the weekend’s storms may appear smaller in comparison to other historic hailstorms, insurers acknowledge that extreme weather events of this nature can have devastating impacts for local communities,” an ICA spokesperson said. “Insurers have begun prioritising claims and are committed to supporting policyholders recover.”
Scientific Context and Climate Trends
According to meteorologists, the size and intensity of the hailstones are linked to unusually strong updrafts in thunderstorms, which allow ice particles to grow larger before falling to the ground. Such events are becoming more frequent in parts of Australia, with climate scientists warning that rising temperatures could increase the likelihood of extreme weather, including severe hailstorms Bureau of Meteorology.
Experts say that while hailstorms are not uncommon in Queensland, the scale and impact of this weekend’s storms are notable. The Insurance Council of Australia has urged residents to document damage and contact their insurers promptly, as recovery efforts begin.
