TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND
for DESTRUCTIVE WIND and LARGE HAILSTONES
For people in parts of the
LOCKYER VALLEY,
MORETON BAY,
SOMERSET and
TOOWOOMBA Council Areas.
Issued at 2:30 pm Friday, 18 October 2013.
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 2:25 pm, very dangerous thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near the area northwest of Toowoomba, moving towards the east northeast. Very dangerous thunderstorms are forecast to affect the area north of Toowoomba, Highfields and Haden by 2:55 pm and Toowoomba, Murphy's Creek, Hampton and Crows Nest by 3:25 pm.
Another severe thunderstorm was located near Toogoolawah.It is forecast to affect northern Lake Wivenhoe, Somerset Dam and Toogoolawah by 2:55 pm and Lake Somerset by 3:25 pm.
Destructive winds and large hailstones are likely.
Emergency Management Queensland advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure loose outdoor items.
* 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.
The next warning is due to be issued by 3:30 pm.
A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West, Wide Bay and Burnett, Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Southeast Coast districts.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at
http://www.bom.gov.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or call 1300 659 219. The Bureau and Emergency Management Queensland would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.