Several nasty storms have popped up on the radar west of the Gold Coast this afternoon.
The city had so far managed to dodge the severe weather, but the coast has now been included in the Bureau of Meteorology’s latest severe thunderstorm warning for South East Queensland.
According to the bureau, “very dangerous thunderstorms” likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding were detected near southern Lake Wivenhoe, northern Lake Wivenhoe and Redbank Plains around 4.50pm.
“These thunderstorms are moving towards the northeast and are forecast to affect Wacol, Upper Brookfield and Mount Nebo by 5:20 pm and Samford, the D’Aguilar Ranges and Somerset Dam by 5:50 pm,” BOM said.
Other severe thunderstorms were detected near Beaudesert, Nanango and Blackbutt.
“They are forecast to affect Moore, Linville and the area north of Kingaroy by 5:20 pm and the area west of Kilcoy and Tamborine by 5:50 pm”.
Emergency services are uging people to:
* If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust.
* 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.
