Movie World closed as thousands without power amid clean-up from Christmas Day storms

There are currently about 15,000 homes without power after winds brought down trees in Gold Coast, Logan and the Scenic Rim.

Warner Brothers Movie World said it would not be able to operate today due to “severe storm damage”.

“We hope to reopen as normal tomorrow and will provide an update on the website and social media,” Movie World said in a statement.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said the threat of thunderstorms had passed in Queensland’s south-east but non-severe thunderstorms were still occurring.

The bureau recorded 105km/hr winds on Gold Coast’s waterfront with the worst of the storms hitting north of the city.

The SES is preparing for “volatile weather conditions” to continue for the next 24-48 hours in NSW.

Assistant Commissioner Kearns said the NSW SES remains on high alert and is prepared to respond promptly to emerging situations.

“We’re particularly aware at this time of the year a lot of people undertake Christmas travel plans to be with their friends and family, however, we ask the public to be mindful of the ongoing severe weather,” he said.

“Roads may be hazardous due to flash flooding, damage from recent rainfall and fallen debris, and reduced visibility.

“Travellers are strongly advised to stay informed about current conditions, exercise caution, and consider delaying travel if conditions worsen.”

Severe weather hit large parts of the state on Christmas Day including the Central West, Riverina, South Coast, Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter on Christmas Day.

Hundreds of lightning strikes were seen during the storms that brought heavy rain.

Residents in Grenfell had a white Christmas when hailstones blanketed the street.

NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Sean Kearns said 41 incidents were reported in the small town.

“There was damage to properties including broken skylights, parts of roofs, broken windows, and damaged vehicles,” Kearns said.

“This kept local SES crews and two teams from Forbes busy throughout the day.”

Hail was also seen in Orange, Yass and across the coast as far as Urbenville and Macksville.

Intense heavy rainfall was recorded in the state’s south-east, with Eurobodalla recoding 156 millimetres of rain in three hours that resulted in flooding on local roads and in some properties, according to the SES.

“NSW SES crews were responded to flood rescues at Albion Park, Kiama, Laggan (in the Southern Tablelands) and Bemboka (near Bega).”

More than 1100 SES volunteers worked on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Sydney’s eastern suburbs including Bondi and Randwick were hit with severe storms causing flash flooding on Christmas Day.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Gippsland this morning as a low-pressure system is producing “unstable conditions” according to BoM.

“Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours,” the BoM said in a weather warning.

“Locations which may be affected include Morwell, Traralgon, Warragul, Moe and Yarram.

“28mm was recorded in 30 minutes as Sale Airport to 5.45am Tuesday morning.”

Yesterday travellers flying to Melbourne captured lightning strikes across the skies as a huge storm cell hit.

Christmas Lunches were rushed inside, some people urged to stay indoors.

Emergency services were on high alert after caved roofs submerged cars and fallen trees were reported – twenty-thousand households also lost power.

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

Light east to south-easterly winds, partly cloudy skies and the chance of a shower or thunderstorm were developing over Sydney and NSW ahead of the start of the race, senior meteorologist Gabrielle Woodhouse said.

“This year’s race conditions will be dependent on the position and strength of a trough and low-pressure system, which is forecast to deepen and then move to the south-east over coming days.”

“Weather, wind and wave forecasts will depend on the location of this system.”

The bureau will continue to brief teams throughout the event.

”On Tuesday and Wednesday, winds are expected to tend east-southeasterly and become fresh to strong over the Bass Strait,” Woodhouse said.

“Strong wind warnings are possible during the race.

“Rain and thunderstorms are forecast on Tuesday and Wednesday, mainly south of Eden.

“These can reduce visibility, produce lightning, erratic winds and possibly some hail.

“Larger south-west swell and strong winds may affect parts of the Tasmanian coast at the end of the week.”