UPDATE @ 3.00PM | Severe storms have pounded the Gold Coast, bringing heavy rain and large hail to many areas of the city.
A cluster of severe cells formed over the border before making their way across the Gold Coast.
Hailstones as big as 9 centimetres fell in areas including Coombabah and Mt Tamborine.
Canungra saw hailstones around 6cm, while areas including Helensvale, Hope Island, Reedy Creek, Mudgeeraba and Arundel all saw hail around 4-5cm.
The storms hit just before school pickup, with many schools keeping students in classrooms until the weather eased.
Around 250 homes and businesses are currently without power, with Luscombe and Cedar Creek the worst-affected suburbs.
Another 8,000 homes and businesses across the Logan area are also offline.
The weather has also caused havoc on the roads with delays across the city, while a number of flights in and out of Gold Coast Airport have been delayed.
The cells have since moved further north, impacting parts of Logan and Brisbane.
However, the Bureau is warning that more potentially very dangerous storms could form throughout the rest of the afternoon, bringing more heavy rain and hail.
Image: BOM
LATEST @ 1.45 PM | A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for the Gold Coast, with the weather bureau warning of a potentially wild afternoon across the city.
The latest update from the Bureau of Meteorology says severe thunderstorms were detected near Border Ranges National Park, Murwillumbah and Mudgeeraba around 1.30pm.
“These thunderstorms are moving towards the northeast and are forecast to affect Coolangatta, Rathdowney and the McPherson Range by 2:00 pm and Numinbah Valley, Laravale and the area south of Canungra by 2:30 pm,” BOM said.
The storms are likely to produce large hailstones, damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding.
It comes after giant 8cm hail smashed parts of the hinterland, including Canungra, overnight.
Emergency services are advising residents 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.
