File photo: Queensland has been hit by several storms in recent weeks, bringing down trees. Photo: AFP / BRIAN CASSEY
By Peter Quattrocelli for the ABC
A woman in her fifties has been killed after severe storms ripped through parts of south-east Queensland on Monday night, bringing intense rain, large hail and fierce winds.
Police said the woman was struck by a tree in the suburb of Helensvale, on the Gold Coast, around 9.30pm.
Winds of 100 kph lashed the area, causing property damage and bringing down trees and more than 300 powerlines.
Emergency crews were tasked with 28 rescues, including people trapped in home, cars and caravans
The SES received about 350 calls for help, while 124,000 people lost power at the height of the storm.
Danny Donald from Energex said crews were working to restore power to customers on the Gold Coast, Scenic Rim and Logan.
"Our crews have been going all night. We've got fresh crews coming back in this morning," he said.
"It's really becoming a marathon. This isn't going to be a sprint. It's a big job. And some places, particularly in the more heavily wooded areas, may be without power for a few days."
Major theme parks close
Movie World, Dream World and White Water World have all confirmed they will be closed today due to severe storm damage.
It also includes Paradise Country and Topgolf.
Movie World said they hoped to open again tomorrow, but the Bureau of Meteorology's Helen Reid said there was a chance more wild weather could be on the way today.
"There is the possibility of something covering quite a broad area of south-east Queensland and into northern New South Wales where we could see those severe thunderstorms again today," she said.
There is currently a major flood warning for the Logan River, with minor flooding possible at Maclean Bridge tonight and into Wednesday.
- This story was first published by the ABC.
