Logan storm cuts power to almost 60,000 homes, 14 houses unliveable

A severe thunderstorm that struck south-east Queensland on Wednesday afternoon left almost 60,000 homes in Logan without power, damaged more than 400 power lines and tore the roofs off 14 houses, according to figures reported in the aftermath.

At the peak, about 80,000 homes and businesses across the region were without electricity. Energex counted more than 130,000 lightning strikes in a single day, and some hit the network directly. Logan's mayor said the winds reached the strength of a category 1 cyclone. Logan City Council said at least 14 houses were uninhabitable.

The highest gust recorded was about 96 km/h at Brisbane Airport. Forecasters said the damage suggests stronger winds struck between official weather stations.

Early warnings covered storms over the Scenic Rim and Gold Coast hinterland. The cells then moved north towards Logan and Brisbane. At 3.27pm the Bureau of Meteorology issued a warning describing the thunderstorm over Logan as very dangerous.

Logan Village recorded 59 mm of rain in 30 minutes, and Wishart on Brisbane's south side received close to 80 mm in a similar period. Drains could not cope, and roads flooded in suburbs including Logan Reserve, Belmont and Wellington Point. Just after 6.30pm, a swiftwater crew pulled a driver from a car stuck in floodwater. The driver was not hurt.

In Eight Mile Plains, a large gum tree was uprooted and crushed two cars. At least one person was trapped, and firefighters used chainsaws to clear the road. Operations at Brisbane Airport were paused, about 15 arriving flights were cancelled and a Sydney flight was diverted to the Gold Coast. A tilt train was stranded after fallen power lines cut its supply. Mobile networks also dropped out in parts of Logan, including Marsden, Crestmead and Waterford West.

Residents described the damage. One Regents Park family had their roof torn away and rain ran down the walls of the upper rooms. A Yeronga woman said fallen power lines across her driveway left her trapped and that the isolation was frightening.

Energex said recovery would be slow, with some sections of the network needing to be largely rebuilt and extra crews being brought in from further away. By Thursday, power had been restored to more than 41,000 customers, while more than 40,000 were still waiting. At least 20 Logan schools stayed closed.

The State Emergency Service received more than 300 calls for help. On Thursday morning about 250 jobs were still outstanding, mostly chainsaw work and damaged roofs. The SES expected more calls as power returned and people saw the damage in daylight. Insurers have sent builders to make the worst-hit homes safe.

The storm was the third round of severe weather in south-east Queensland in just over two weeks. Forecasters also warned that more storms were possible. Separately, hail piled up on the New South Wales mid-north coast on the same day. The figures above are as reported on Thursday and may have changed since.