gold coast weather storms

Gold Coast Storms: What You Need to Know About the Wild Weather Pummelling Southeast Queensland

If you live in or around the Gold Coast, chances are you’ve already felt the rumble of thunder, seen the sky turn an eerie green, or heard the urgent warnings blaring on your phone. Over the past few days, severe storms have battered Southeast Queensland, bringing giant hail, destructive winds, flash flooding, and even reports of injuries and power cuts. This isn’t just another summer thunderstorm — it’s a multi-day weather event that’s left residents on edge and emergency services stretched thin.

With millions across the region bracing for more wild weather, understanding what’s happening — and how to stay safe — is more important than ever.

What Just Happened? The Storm That Hit Millions

On Saturday, November 2nd, 2024, a severe thunderstorm swept across Southeast Queensland, hitting the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and surrounding areas with unrelenting force. According to verified reports from 9News and the ABC, the storm system delivered:

• Giant hailstones — some as large as tennis balls — smashing windows, damaging cars, and injuring people caught outside.
• Destructive winds exceeding 90 km/h, uprooting trees and tearing off roofing.
• Intense lightning and flash flooding, overwhelming drainage systems in low-lying suburbs.
• Hundreds of homes without power across the Gold Coast and Scenic Rim, with Energex crews working around the clock to restore electricity.

“We’ve seen some of the most intense storm activity in years,” said a spokesperson for Energex, quoted in the 9News report. “Crews are dealing with downed power lines, fallen poles, and widespread damage.”

The ABC confirmed that injuries were recorded in multiple locations, including people struck by hail or debris during the peak of the storm. While no fatalities have been reported, several individuals required hospital treatment for head and limb injuries.

This wasn’t a one-off event. It was the culmination of a week-long storm pattern that began with scattered thunderstorms and escalated into a supercell outbreak — a rare but dangerous form of thunderstorm capable of producing extreme weather.

Recent Updates: The Timeline of the Storm Crisis

Here’s what’s been happening, based on official reports and verified news coverage:

October 27 – Total Fire Ban Issued

As heatwave conditions gripped Southeast Queensland, authorities issued a 24-hour total fire ban for Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and surrounding councils. The ban came amid concerns that dry, windy conditions could ignite bushfires, especially with storm activity increasing the risk of lightning strikes.

October 30–31 – Storm Warnings Escalate

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) began issuing severe thunderstorm warnings for the Gold Coast and hinterland areas. Initial forecasts predicted damaging winds, large hail, and heavy rainfall, with the worst expected to hit over the weekend.

“A stretch of unsettled weather conditions is expected to last for several days, peaking with likely severe thunderstorms by Saturday afternoon,” reported 7NEWS, citing BOM data.

November 1 – Supercell Threat Emerges

Forecasters warned of isolated supercell storms — rotating thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes, hail the size of golf balls or larger, and catastrophic wind damage. The Gold Coast Seaway Forecast from BOM showed a high-risk zone stretching from the NSW border to the Sunshine Coast.

November 2 – The Storm Hits

Between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM AEST, the storm system intensified over the Gold Coast. Residents reported: - Hailstorms lasting over 30 minutes - Near-zero visibility due to wind-driven rain - Power outages in suburbs like Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads, and Nerang - Flash flooding in Southport and Runaway Bay, with cars stranded in waterlogged streets

Emergency services responded to over 200 calls for help, including structural damage, fallen trees on roads, and medical emergencies.

November 3–4 – Cleanup and Ongoing Risks

While the worst of the storm has passed, BOM continues to warn of residual thunderstorms and localised flooding. The Gold Coast City Council has opened temporary shelters for affected residents, and insurance claims are beginning to flood in.

“This is not over,” said Jonathon How from the Bureau of Meteorology in a recent update. “There’s still a risk of severe storm activity over the next 48 hours, particularly in elevated areas.”

Why This Matters: The Bigger Picture Behind the Storms

While storms are a regular part of life in Southeast Queensland, this event stands out for several reasons.

1. The Rise of Supercell Storms

Supercells — the most intense type of thunderstorm — are relatively rare in Australia, but climate trends suggest they may be becoming more frequent. These storms form when warm, moist air rises into a highly unstable atmosphere, often fuelled by high humidity and temperature contrasts.

“Supercells are nature’s most powerful thunderstorms,” explains Dr. Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, a climate scientist at UNSW. “They can produce hail the size of softballs, tornadoes, and wind speeds that rival Category 2 cyclones.”

The fact that multiple supercell warnings were issued in a single week is a concerning signal of changing weather patterns.

2. Urban Exposure and Infrastructure Strain

The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s fastest-growing urban corridors, with high-density development and vast stretches of low-lying coastal land. This makes it extremely vulnerable to: - Flash flooding (as seen in Southport) - Hail damage to vehicles and homes - Power outages due to downed lines in suburban areas

Unlike rural regions, where storms can pass over open land, urban areas absorb and amplify damage — especially when infrastructure hasn’t been upgraded to handle extreme weather.

3. Climate Change and Storm Intensity

While no single storm can be directly attributed to climate change, scientific consensus is clear: warmer oceans and higher atmospheric moisture are making storms wetter, windier, and more unpredictable.

“We’re seeing more energy in the atmosphere,” says Dr. Andrew Dowdy from the Bureau of Meteorology. “That means storms can intensify faster and last longer.”

In the case of the Gold Coast, record-breaking humidity levels in October — combined with a stalled cold front — created the perfect conditions for a multi-day storm siege.

Who’s Affected? The Immediate Impact on Residents and Businesses

The storms have had widespread and immediate consequences across the region.

Homes and Property

• Roof damage from hail and wind is common, with many residents discovering cracked tiles or broken skylights.
• Car parks in shopping centres and apartment buildings saw hundreds of vehicles damaged by falling debris and hail.
• Flooding in basements and ground-floor units has led to mould and electrical hazards.

Businesses and Tourism

The Gold Coast’s tourism sector — worth over $5 billion annually — took a hit. Popular attractions like Dreamworld, Sea World, and Surfers Paradise beach were temporarily closed during peak weekend hours.

“We lost a full day of operations,” said a manager at a beachside restaurant. “No one wanted to eat outside when the sky turned green and the hail started.”

Transport and Utilities

• Gold Coast Airport reported flight delays and cancellations due to lightning strikes near the runway.
• Translink services were disrupted, with buses rerouted around flooded roads.
• Energex confirmed over 8,000 homes lost power at the peak of the storm, with some areas still without electricity 48 hours later.

Health and Safety

Queensland Health issued warnings about heat stress in areas without power, especially for elderly and vulnerable residents. Meanwhile, **