Flash floods hit the Gold Coast resort in Australia on Friday, December 13th. A strong storm hit the coast with 128 mm of rain in just an hour - such weather events occur in Australia on average once every 50 years, according to 9News.
The roads of the Gold Coast turned into streams, cars were flooded and left to drift along the flood waters after heavy storms that swept southeast Queensland. Several police drivers had to be rescued from their vehicles while trying to drive through the flooded streets.
The storm was accompanied by hail and frequent lightning, one of them hit directly into the transformer box, causing an explosion. Residents from a nearby house had to be evacuated. About 9 thousand customers in the region were left without electricity, the inhabitants of the Gold Coast were the most affected.
Heavy rain caused the roof of the shopping center to sink, water gushed from the ceiling, and people in a hurry left the emergency building.
The Australian Met Office has confirmed the forecast for showers that will continue over the weekend. Southeastern Queensland remains at risk of dangerous thunderstorms with potentially large hail that could hit the Gold Coast again.
A huge tree has come crashing down after a storm swept through Brisbane today. Full details coming up at 6.00pm. # 9News pic.twitter.com/W1W5WpOKtM
- Nine News Queensland (@ 9NewsQueensland) December 13, 2019