TOP STORY — A severe thunderstorm has caused major damage across Brisbane this evening with golf ball sized hail smashing through car windscreens, small planes overturned by damaging winds and flash flooding bringing central city traffic to a complete halt.

As of 9pm NZT the ABC was reporting 82,000 homes were without power after the thunderstorms – described by one local as being “like a cyclone” as winds snapped trees in half and lifted roofs. 

Flash flooding in the CBD caused major traffic problems, described as “carnage” by locals as most of the city centre became gridlocked due to flooding and damage.

Meanwhile a small airport in the southern side of Brisbane saw a number of small planes flipped over on the tarmac by gales created by the super cell.

Some high rise buildings with glass walls have smash holes from ground floor right to the top from the giant hail stones which slammed the city.

Flooding was so severe in places car were seen bobbing in the water.

Photo: “This just happened… golf ball hail storms v glass building.. Brisbane cbd. Storm season” tweeted @JessySahota – the tweet now trending online.

Live rain radar via BoM shows the thunderstorms now tracking north of the city.

See photos and news HERE by the ABC

See updates via SMH’s Brisbane Live HERE
 

– WeatherWatch.co.nz