Wild storms bring hail and flooding to southeast Queensland

A fresh round of summer storms rolled in over southeast Queensland yesterday afternoon with hail and flash flooding hitting some parts of the Gold Coast.

The sudden downpour and wind gusts of up to 80km/h lead to power outages, car crashes and even forced trams to come to a stop with some 2000 lightning strikes across the Gold Coast.

The storm hit the Gold Coast's southern suburbs just before 4pm, with the storm cell swiftly moving north, with lightning striking a number of homes, including one at Broadbeach Waters that was left smouldering from the strike.

Tweed Heads residents reported golf ball-sized hail from the storm, while Energex says more than 5000 homes are without power, mainly in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.

Tree damage has been reported in the Tallebudgera and Currumbin Valley and 44mm of rain fell in just half an hour at Currumbin Creek and Rathdowney.

Four other storm cells have hit other parts of the southeast, including Ipswich, Rathdowney, the Lockyer Valley, the Sunshine Coast and Gympie.

Queensland authorities have warned residents in affected areas to bring loose outdoor items inside and to secure outdoor items that cannot be moved.

They have also urged residents to be patient when calling for help from the State Emergency Service.

With AAP