Attention residents of the Burnett region.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued severe thunderstorm warnings for residents of the Burnett Region, Gympie and Sunshine Coast council areas, with heavy rainfall, large hailstones and damaging winds predicted.
This warning was issued at 2:52pm Thursday, 9 January, by the Bureau of Meteorology.
The Bureau warns that severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding, large hailstones and damaging winds, detected at 2:45pm near Lake Boondooma, Goomeri and Caloundra.
These thunderstorms are moving towards the north to north east, and are forecast to affect the area north of Goomeri and the area north of Lake Boondooma around 3:15pm, and the ranges south of Gayndah around 3:45pm.
Meanwhile, a more general severe thunderstorm warning is current for parts of the Wide Bay and Burnett districts, as well as Sunshine Coast and Darling Downs and Granite Belt districts, with Kingaroy, Cherbourg and Nanango possibly affected.
The severe thunderstorms continue over these areas in a moist and unstable environment, aided by an upper trough in the area, with thunderstorms predicted to continue throughout the afternoon and evening.
Emergency services advise people to:
* Park your car undercover away from trees.
* Close doors and windows.
* Keep asthma medications close by. Storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks.
* Charge mobile phones and power banks in case the power goes out.
* Put your pets somewhere safe and make sure they can be identified in case they get lost.
* Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous.
* Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area.
* Go inside a strong building now. Stay inside until the storm has passed.
