Freak storm dumps six months’ worth of rain in one night – Brisbane, Australia

A major thunderstorm brought six months' worth of rain in one night in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, on Wednesday night, December 11, 2019. The city saw 100 mm (4 inches) of rain in just over an hour, which made it one of the highest 24-hour rainfall totals in 20 years. There were around 208 000 lightning strikes from the freak storm and about 29 000 households were left without electricity.

We recorded 130.4 mm (5.13 inches) in the city last night, 112 mm (4.40 inches) in just 1 hour. That's more than December's average and more than the last 6 months combined, BOM meteorologists report.

Crews responded to more than 100 emergency calls, mostly for alarms, flooding, and electrical issues, according to Queensland Fire and Emergency Services duty manager Brett Finnis.

"It was quite the intense flurry of work, and it does signal for this season, as with the bushfires, there's something that's different this season," said Jess Gardener, forecaster for Bureau of Meteorology.

Furthermore, floodings also hit some areas of the cities that crews received nine calls for help, but no raging water rescues were needed.

"It was very rapid, the water, the volume of jobs we were being called to, it was essentially like flicking a light switch."

Meanwhile, at Brisbane Airport, wind gusts reached 80 km/h (50 mph), forcing several flights to divert.

62 mm (2.4 inches) of rain fell in Warwick, while Killarney and Flagstone Creek both registered 54 mm (2.1 inches).

A storm has dumped more than 100mm of rain in Brisbane overnight. Streets near the CBD were flooded while areas out west were pelted with hail. https://t.co/H7PsmrJc5J #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/A0OxFnCWQ7

— 7NEWS Wide Bay (@7NewsWideBay) December 12, 2019

Some trees down in Bulimba after last nights storm. Intense rain in Brisbane’s east… 130mm in just over an hour @TheTodayShow @9NewsQueensland pic.twitter.com/RHAjXm5V3x

— Jess Millward (@JessMillward9) December 11, 2019

Soaked doing this, but this is my street! Water is coming in sideways! I’m so excited! #bnestorm pic.twitter.com/KvEryka0vg

— Natalie Bochenski (@girlclumsy) December 11, 2019

Gateway Bridge is out. No lights #bnestorm pic.twitter.com/AODyGOApha

— Elisha Friday Matthews (@MsFridayology) December 11, 2019

Oh my goodness this is that beautiful stuff called rain falling down at Annerley in Brisbane. I hope some is getting to the much needed fire impacted regions #bnestorm pic.twitter.com/ZYIZlNAoW2

— James N. Kirby (@JamesNKirby) December 11, 2019

Gardener forecasted more storms over the next couple of days. However, he said the wet weather will not be staying for long.

A severe storm warning has been issued for six cells, four north of Brisbane and two in the Scenic Rim.

"They are traveling in a north-east direction to impact Gympie, Somerset, Scenic Rim, South Burnett, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Moreton Bay Council Areas."

"We've got the chance of seeing severe storms again through the south-east so there is a chance through Brisbane, although a smaller chance than further west," Gardener added.

"We'd expect those storms to form further west again then move slowly eastwards, probably losing their severe "characteristics by the time they get to the coast."

An intense thunderstorms in Brisbane last night brought nearly as much rain as the last six months combined: https://t.co/tRaxMIkwDj pic.twitter.com/QjtFwCkqEp

— Weatherzone (@weatherzone) December 11, 2019

WARNING UPDATED for severe #QldStorms: severe thunderstorms in the warning area have eased, however the redevelopment of severe thunderstorms remains possible. Further warnings will be issued if required. pic.twitter.com/uGC6ZvBviW

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) December 12, 2019

Wow #Brisbane, what a storm! We recorded 130.4mm in the city last night, 112mm in just 1 hour. That's more than December's average and more than the last 6 months combined! Also reports of large hail near Warwick and Applethorpe. Let us know how you fared! https://t.co/A11HwP8Vfr pic.twitter.com/qRPhRxM9kl

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) December 11, 2019

Intense rainfall has eased! 112mm of rain fell in an hour at East Brisbane. Warnings updated. https://t.co/K362euVopK pic.twitter.com/raUlDzbNTQ

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) December 11, 2019

Featured image credit: Kel Bogan