Hail Damage

13th October

A severe thunderstorm in south-east Queensland on Wednesday left a trail of destruction after hailstones hit the area like "missiles".

The hail smashed windows and roofs while strong winds brought down trees in Australia's Gold Coast's northern suburbs about 2pm AEST (5pm NZ time).

Minor flooding was also reported and five houses in the Tallebudgera Valley lost power.

Gold Coast resident Tim Obank said the storm came across the area at tremendous pace.

"All of a sudden this colour came over grey and the next minute I hear this terrible noise," Mr Obank told the Ten Network.

"I didn't know what was happening and then I look out the window and missiles are going into my pool."

More than 360 calls were made to State Emergency Service crews along the tourist strip after the storm ripped through the suburbs of Helensvale, Oxenford, Coomera, Mt Nathan, Gaven, Arundel and Coombabah.

A Counter Disaster and Rescue Services spokesman said more calls for help were expected throughout the evening as residents returned home from work.

The storm also played havoc on the roads with hail blamed for a traffic pile-up that blocked parts of the motorway linking the Gold Coast to Brisbane.

Up to 11 cars were involved in the crash on the northbound lanes of the M1, near Coomera, which happened about the same time the storm swept through.

A police spokeswoman said some cars suffered severe hail damage with windscreens smashed or cracked.

Cars parked outside theme parks in the area were also severely damaged by the hail.