Introduction:
When we think of Australia, we frequently envision sun-soaked beaches and burning Outback. However, another, more devastating force has been altering the nation's weather narrative: hail storms. These cold bombardments have left their mark on the Australian environment, both physically and metaphorically, incurring billions of dollars in damage and permanently altering our perception of the continent's climate.
This blog will delve into different events across various regions in Queensland, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory, providing a detailed account of the most significant hail storms that have wreaked havoc in these areas.
Areas in Queensland severely impacted by hail storms:
Maryborough
Maryborough, located in the Fraser Coast Region, is prone to severe hail storms, often striking during the Christmas season. Notable hail events occurred in 2020, 2022, and 2023. Among these, the most significant was in 2022, when over 600 insurance claims were filed following the storm up to the month of May. On December 8th, 2022, Maryborough experienced a destructive hail storm with hail stones exceeding 7 cm in diameter and wind gusts reaching 94 km/h. This extreme weather event caused extensive damage to vehicles, residences, and businesses, including shattered windows, roof damage, and upholstery destruction.
Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast experienced three significant hail events: two in 2021 (May 12th and October 14th) and one on November 17th, 2019. The most recent hail storm occurred on October 14th, 2021, unleashing hail stones measuring up to 7cm in diameter, accompanied by winds of up to 60 km/h. This resulted in widespread damage to roofs and vehicles, affecting more than 8,800 properties. According to the Disaster Management QLD Government Report (2023), Energex recorded over 600,000 lightning strikes across the south-east region during this period with destructive wind gusts recorded exceeding 125km/h.
Burpengary
Christmas 2023 brought a massive storm that caused widespread damage across various regions of Central Queensland and New South Wales. On December 24th, Burpengary in Southeast Queensland experienced a monstrous hail storm with hail stones measuring 9 cm to 15 cm (EWN, 2023) and wind gusts reaching 169 km/h (BOM, 2023). This severe weather event in Burpengary raised the possibility of record-breaking hail. In addition, other areas in Southeastern Queensland reported over 130,000 customers without power as a result of the strong wind, marking the highest daily wind impact of the year according to the BOM (2023)
Gatton
Gatton, another region in Southeastern Queensland experienced severe impacts from the widespread hail storm on December 23, 2023. According to the Early Warning Network (2023), large to giant hail stones measuring between 10cm and up to 13cm in diameter were observed in the evening, accompanied by wind gusts of 64 km/h. Many residents reported substantial damage to their properties, with some cars experiencing shattered windows and extensive body damage.
Gympie
Gympie, located in the Gympie Region within the Wide Bay-Burnett area of Queensland, has experienced several notable hail storm events over the years. Significant hail events occurred on December 1, 2016; October 22, 2021; August 2, 2023; October 27, 2022; and most recently, on December 4, 2023. The Christmas hail storm of 2023 surpassed previous records with hail stones as large as 15.5 cm in diameter, breaking the 1888 record of 13 cm. According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM, 2024), Gympie recorded hail stones up to 10 cm in diameter, accompanied by wind gusts exceeding 85 km/h.
Biloela
Biloela, a rural town in Central Queensland, experienced two significant hail events in 2020. According to the Early Warning Network, the first event involved large hail stones observed over a span of 20 minutes, accompanied by 19 mm of rainfall. The second event occurred on October 20th, when a hail storm resembling snow scattered the town, with hail stones ranging from 8 cm to 12 cm in diameter and 23 mm of rain falling in just 15 minutes.
Rockhampton
The year 2020 was recorded as one of the driest and warmest years in Queensland on record, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM, 2020). On Sunday afternoon, April 19th, Central Queensland experienced a significant hail storm, with Rockhampton and Yeppoon being the most affected areas. This late-season event produced large to giant hail stones measuring between 8 cm to 12 cm in diameter and wind gusts exceeding 100 km/h, making it one of the largest hail storms since the Sydney hail storm of 1999 (Early Warning Network, April 2020). According to BOM (2021), hail this large is unusual in April in Central Queensland.
Brisbane, Logan and Ipswich
Throughout Brisbane, Logan and Ipswich, two significant hail events occurred in the year 2019 and 2020. According to PERILS, the October 31, 2020 hail event was known as the “South East Queensland Halloween Hailstorms” (2020). The hail event was reported to be the third major hail event at that time, causing industry losses exceeding AUD 3,640 million. Hail stones as large as 14cm in diameter were recorded from Amberley (Ipswich) through the northern suburbs of Logan near Brisbane with wind gusts over 110 km/h (PERILS). The Insurance Council of Australia declared the event a ‘catastrophe’ with more than 45,000 claims counted as of February 2022 (Nov, 2020).
Roma
Roma was hit by an unexpected hail storm on November 4, 2023, with hail stones as large as 4cm in diameter and had a supercell-like appearance. The heavy rain accompanies these hail stones with wind gusts of 104 km/h causing extensive damage to the residents. Accompanied by heavy rain and wind gusts reaching 104 km/h, the storm caused significant damage to residential areas. The event highlighted the vulnerability of local homes and infrastructure to severe weather, emphasising the importance of prompt damage assessment and assistance from emergency services for affected residents.
New South Wales worth affected hail regions
Newcastle
Newcastle experienced two significant hail storm events in October 2021 and May 2023. The May 2023 hail event was the most severe with hail stones measuring up to 4cm (golf ball size) in diameter, accompanied by winds of more than 35+ km/h, with an impact rating of 90% resulting in widespread damage to roofs and vehicles. The Insurance Council of Australia recognised May 2023 as a ‘Significant Event’ due to an estimated 7,552 linked hail storm claims that were recorded (ICA).
Rutherford
Rutherford experienced a historic hail storm on Boxing Day, December 26, 2023, with hail stones measuring up to 4 cm in diameter (golf ball size). The NSW State Emergency Service responded to over 50 calls for help concentrated in a small area, contributing to a total of 473 incidents reported throughout the region. The storm had a significant impact on residential and commercial properties, causing damage to roofs, vehicles, and outdoor infrastructure.
Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie experienced a significant hail storm on November 26, 2022, characterised by hail stones reaching sizes of up to 6 cm in diameter and accompanying wind speeds of 66 km/h. The event prompted a substantial response from the NSW State Emergency Service, which fielded over 120 calls related to property damage. Among the most reported issues was damage to hot water systems, highlighting the storm's impact on residential infrastructure.
ACT’s hardest hit hail damaged areas:
Canberra
In 2020, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) experienced a wetter-than-average year, which contrasted with unusually warm nights. Located at the northern end of the ACT, Canberra experienced a significant hail storm on January, 20th with hail sizes ranging from 4 to 6cm in diameter and wind gusts reaching 117 km/h. According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM. 2021), the event caused widespread of damage to buildings and motor vehicles, resulting in over 1,900 calls for assistance and more than 15,000 insurance claims being lodged.
Hail Claim Service: Let Rebuild Relief Manage Your Claim
After a hail storm causes damage to your property, navigating the insurance claim process can be overwhelming. That's why there are specialists like us who can assist you in handling the entire journey for you. If you or your neighbours were affected by one of the severe hail events mentioned above, contact Rebuild Relief today to assess the damage by offering FREE inspections. We provide comprehensive management of your hail damage insurance claim service, ensuring you get the coverage you deserve.
Our services include:
Free Initial Roof and Solar Inspections: We provide thorough inspections to assess any damage caused by hail.
Lodging and Managing Claims: We handle the entire claims process, including all correspondence with your insurer.
Disputing Denials or Partial Approvals: If your claim is denied or partially approved, we will dispute it to ensure you get the coverage you deserve.
Organising Quality Repairs: We coordinate with top repairers to ensure your roof and solar systems are restored to their best condition.
Throughout the claims process, you will have a dedicated case manager as your single point of contact, ensuring smooth and efficient communication. Let Rebuild Relief manage your hail damage insurance claim, so you can focus on what matters most.
Summary of hail storms in Australia
The recent history of hail storms in Queensland, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory demonstrates the significant damage these events can cause to homes, vehicles, and infrastructure. From Maryborough to Canberra, each region has suffered substantial damage, emphasising the importance of preparation, strong infrastructure, and comprehensive insurance coverage in protecting property and lives.
Insurance plays a crucial role in safeguarding against the financial losses associated with hail storms. Regular roof inspections and maintenance can also help mitigate damage, ensuring that structures are better prepared to withstand severe weather.
For those affected by recent hail storms, Rebuild Relief offers free roof and solar and comprehensive management of hail damage insurance claims. Contact us today to ensure you get the coverage you deserve and quality repairs for your property.
Don't forget to share your own hail storm experiences in the comments section below, and subscribe to our blog for updates on severe weather events and safety tips. Additionally, having a well-prepared emergency kit can make a significant difference during severe weather events.
By staying informed, prepared, and insured, we can better protect our homes and communities from the devastating impacts of hail storms.
References
Queensland Government. (2023). 2023 State Disaster Risk Report. Retrieved from https://www.disaster.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/436070/2023-State-Disaster-Risk-Report.pdf
Bureau of Meteorology. (2023). Queensland climate summary December 2023. Retrieved from http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/month/qld/archive/202312.summary.shtml
Bureau of Meteorology. (2020). Queensland climate summary 2020. Retrieved from http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/annual/qld/archive/2020.summary.shtml
Early Warning Network. (2023). Record hailstorms lash Central Queensland. Retrieved from https://www.earlywarningnetwork.com.au/news/record-hailstorms-lash-central-queensland
Bureau of Meteorology. (2020). Queensland climate summary April 2020. Retrieved from http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/month/qld/archive/202004.summary.shtml
Early Warning Network. (2023). Monster clean-up begins after damaging storms across the Christmas period. Retrieved from https://www.earlywarningnetwork.com.au/news/monster-clean-up-begins-after-damaging-storms-across-the-christmas-period
Bureau of Meteorology. (2020). Australian Capital Territory climate summary 2020. Retrieved from http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/annual/act/archive/2020.summary.shtml
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