{"id":220263,"date":"2018-10-11T22:22:13","date_gmt":"2018-10-11T12:22:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=220263"},"modified":"2020-07-27T13:35:23","modified_gmt":"2020-07-27T03:35:23","slug":"wild-storms-lash-southburnett","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2018\/10\/11\/wild-storms-lash-southburnett\/","title":{"rendered":"Wild Storms Lash South Burnett"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Hail falling like snow near Peterson Drive in Kingaroy on Thursday afternoon
(Photo: Denise Keelan Photography)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

October 12, 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

South Burnett farmers and property owners have been left counting the cost of a series of storms which crossed the region on Thursday.<\/p>\n

At Kumbia, stone fruit orchards were struck by hail, shredding unprotected trees as well as tearing large holes in protective hail netting.<\/p>\n

Workers employed to pick the fruit also suffered, with their vehicles and caravans peppered by hail stones.<\/p>\n

At nearby Kumbia State School, hail stones smashed windows in several classrooms prompting an early call to parents to collect their children.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The school will open as usual on Friday, although several classes will be held in the library.<\/p>\n

The Bureau of Meteorology reported that hail stones up to 7cm in diameter fell at Kumbia.<\/p>\n

The Coolabunia area was also badly hit, with damage reported to farm buildings, silos and private homes.<\/p>\n

Three people were transported to Kingaroy Hospital in a stable condition after they were injured at Coolabunia during the wild storm.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A QAS spokesperson said the trio – two women and a baby – suffered multiple cuts and abrasions after hail smashed their car windows.<\/p>\n

The hail, lashing rain and wind caused havoc on South Burnett roads, with fallen trees and debris at one stage simultaneously blocking the Bunya, D’Aguilar and Burnett highways.<\/p>\n

Roads were also blocked by debris in the Malar, Sandy Ridges, Booie, Runnymede and Glan Devon areas.<\/p>\n

Other roads were cut by flash flooding, including several roads in the Goodger and Haly Creek areas.<\/p>\n

Police warned South Burnett residents to avoid unnecessary travel due to the hail and storm damage.<\/p>\n

The storms left a trail of destruction as they tracked north-easterly across the region.<\/p>\n

Hail up to 5cm was reported between Proston and Murgon.<\/p>\n

At 3:12pm, a storm cell touched down at Tansey sparking a “tornado warning” from BOM for areas around Kilkivan.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sheds were destroyed and homes and vehicles damaged by flying debris.<\/p>\n

At one point in the afternoon, more than 6000 Ergon Energy customers – from Cooyar to Durong – were without power due to storm damage to the electricity network<\/p>\n

At 10:00pm, about 800 South Burnett residents still had no power.<\/p>\n

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At Kumbia<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n