Mall Roof Fails During Freak Australian Storms; Cities Pounded W. Grapefruit-Sized Hail [View all]

[hatrack]

Freak storms across the east coast of Australia have damaged buildings and pounded cities with hail the size of grapefruit. The largest hailstone ever to fall in Australia – a whopping 16cm in diameter – was recorded in Queensland after heavy storms hammered the Mackay region on Tuesday afternoon.

On Wednesday, a shopping centre in Coffs Harbour was evacuated after heavy rain collapsed the ceiling during a hail storm that battered northern New South Wales. About 400 people were taking shelter in the Toormina shopping centre when water began pouring in through the ceiling.

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On Tuesday heavy storms hammered north Queensland and the largest hailstone ever to fall in Australia was officially recorded. Forecaster Dean Narramore from the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) told the ABC that the “dangerous thunderstorm” lashed the Yalboroo area north of Mackay leading to multiple reports of giant hail.

While many of the stones measured 12 to 14cm in diameter Narramore said a “very impressive” image had been sent to the BoM’s Queensland office allowing them to verify the 16cm reading.

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https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/oct/20/grapefruit-sized-australias-largest-hailstone-recorded-after-queensland-storms