Severe Storms Batter Queensland and Victoria, Leaving Tens of Thousands Without Power

Widespread Disruption Across Australian States

Severe thunderstorms swept across Australia's eastern states on Sunday, October 26, and Monday, October 27, 2025, causing significant power outages and widespread disruption in Queensland and Victoria. Tens of thousands of homes and businesses were left without electricity, as destructive winds, giant hailstones, and torrential rain impacted communities.

Queensland Bears Brunt of Hail and High Winds

In south-east Queensland, approximately 26,000 households were without power on Monday morning, following a severe thunderstorm that peaked on Sunday evening, affecting over 67,000 customers. The region experienced wind gusts exceeding 109 km/h in areas like Gayndah, and around 95 km/h in Amberley and Archerfield. The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed large hailstones, with sizes reaching up to 7 cm in St Lucia, 5-6 cm in Pullenvale, 5 cm in Moorooka and Goonda, and 4 cm in Ipswich.

State-owned power distributor Energex, which serves 1.5 million homes and businesses in south-east Queensland, reported 'significant damage' to its network, with wires brought down across the greater Brisbane region. Nearly 70 crews were deployed on Sunday night to commence power restoration efforts. The severe weather also interrupted sporting events, including the Pacific Cup Men's rugby league match between Samoa and Tonga in Brisbane, which was halted due to lightning. Insurer Suncorp has already received over 2,100 claims, primarily for hail and wind damage in Queensland.

Victoria Records Heaviest Rainfall in 18 Months

Meanwhile, Victoria also faced significant weather challenges, with Melbourne recording 35.4mm of rainfall in 24 hours, marking its wettest day in 18 months since April 2024. While initially over 1,300 energy customers were without power on Monday morning, the total number of affected customers in Victoria peaked at over 28,000. The State Emergency Service (SES) received 598 requests for assistance across the state, predominantly for building damage, downed trees, and flooding. The suburbs of Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, and Wyndham were among the hardest hit, accounting for 179 calls for assistance.

The Bureau of Meteorology is investigating reports of a possible 'short-lived tornado' that may have struck parts of Melbourne's western suburbs. Additionally, Victoria's Chief Health Officer, Dr. Caroline McKelney, issued a warning regarding an increased risk of epidemic thunderstorm asthma in the state's northern country region.

Ongoing Recovery and Weather Outlook

As recovery efforts continue, many outages in Victoria were resolved by early Monday afternoon, though some persisted. In Queensland, damp conditions are expected to linger throughout the week, with Tuesday forecast to be the wettest day. Crews from Energex and the SES are working tirelessly to restore services and address the damage caused by the intense weather system.