Whitsundays News. Local News from around and about the Whitsundays: QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Heavy Rain

Threat Level AMBER

QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Heavy Rain

Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Wide Bay and Burnett and parts of Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Central Coast and Whitsundays, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Capricornia, Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Southeast Coast Forecast Districts.

Issued at 9:31 pm Friday, 12 October 2018.

Weather Situation: Severe thunderstorms remain in place across the Herbert and Lower Burdekin. Embedded thunderstorms are also developing amongst the rain band across the Wide Bay and Burnett.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hailstones over the next several hours in the Herbert and Lower Burdekin and parts of the Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Central Coast and Whitsundays and Central Highlands and Coalfields districts. Locations which may be affected include Proserpine, Charters Towers, Bowen, Townsville, Collinsville and Hamilton Island.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in the Wide Bay and Burnett and parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Capricornia, Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Southeast Coast districts. Locations which may be affected include Gympie, Hervey Bay, Fraser Island, Biloela, Blackwater and Mount Morgan.

2.5cm hail was reported at Kelso (SW of Townsville)

Small hail and 70-80 km/h winds reported west of Townsville.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure loose outdoor items.
* Never drive, walk or ride through flood waters. If it's flooded, forget it.
* Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
* Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.