STORMS TORMENT CITY AS MINI TORNADO SMASHES BURLEIGH HOME
A GOLD Coast house was damaged by a mini tornado yesterday as the city was lashed by a cluster of dangerous thunderstorms bringing hail, strong winds, thunder and lightning.
Part of the roof was ripped off when the whirly wind touched down in a Burleigh Waters street about 5.30pm
Jade Smith, 29, told the Bulletin trees in her yard were sideways and the noise was so loud when her house was hit by the mini tornado.
“The intensity of the wind and the rain ... I have never experienced that before,” she said. “It was insane.
“I heard a loud bang and I saw bins falling over and I thought it was our bin.
“You never think it is going to happen to you.”
Ms Smith said the damage was to the porch area and her landlord was fortunately insured.
She said the fallen roof, lighting and bricks blocked access to the front door briefly but neighbours helped clear the debris.
Large hail stones pelted central and southern Gold Coast with residents in Varsity Lakes, Tallai, Elanora, Robina and Burleigh reporting hail.
Gold Coast SES only received six calls for assistance during the weather event including jobs for a tree down, roof related issues and a request for sandbags.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued by the Bureau of Meteorology midafternoon yesterday but was cancelled just before 6.30pm as the storm moved out to sea.