A powerful storm system ripped through southeastern Queensland on Monday, November 24, 2025, unleashing giant hailstones, destructive winds, and torrential rain that left a trail of damage and disruption across the region. The severe weather event affected communities from the New South Wales border up to the Sunshine Coast, with Brisbane at the epicenter of the devastation.
What Happened
The storms began in the early morning hours, with severe thunderstorm warnings issued by the Bureau of Meteorology at around 5:54 a.m. AEF. Residents reported hailstones up to 11 centimeters in diameter—some described as the size of apples—falling in suburbs like Ferny Hills and The Gap. Wind gusts reached 107 km/h at Brisbane Airport, causing widespread tree damage and power outages. The DTN Total Lightning Network recorded over a million lightning strikes within 400 km of Brisbane, with nearly 200,000 ground strikes.
Real-Life Impact
At least 161,000 households lost power at the peak of the storm, with more than 600 powerlines downed. Close to 150,000 homes remained without electricity the following day, and emergency crews responded to over 1,000 calls for assistance. Flights at Brisbane Airport were halted, and several schools and businesses suffered significant damage.
Eyewitness Neil McIntosh described the chaos: “It sounded like a war zone. Hailstones were smashing cars and roofs, and the wind was ripping trees out by the roots. It was terrifying.” Kylie Munce, another resident, said, “Our backyard looked like a battlefield—shattered glass, broken branches, and cars covered in dents.”
Expert Analysis
Meteorologists explained that the storms formed due to a combination of atmospheric instability, abundant moisture, and a dry line clash between moist and dry air masses. The intense updrafts within the storm clouds allowed hailstones to grow to exceptional sizes before falling to the ground.
Dr. Sarah Thompson, a climate scientist at Griffith University, noted, “These extreme weather events are becoming more frequent due to climate change. While our infrastructure has improved, the intensity and frequency of such storms are a growing concern for urban planning and emergency response.”
Next Steps
Residents are advised to check for property damage, avoid downed powerlines, and contact local authorities for emergency assistance. The State Emergency Service continues to respond to calls, and power restoration is underway, though some areas may face delays. Authorities urge the public to stay updated through official channels and prepare for possible follow-up storms in the coming days.
This storm underscores the increasing need for resilient infrastructure and preparedness as southeastern Queensland faces more frequent and severe weather events.
