Brisbane Airport is shut down due to massive storms smashing Australia’s east coast

Flights at Brisbane airport are grounded as massive storms batter the Queensland coast, with blackouts leaving thousands of homes without power.

Energex said on Tuesday afternoon that around 5,600 homes are affected in east Brisbane, including Wynnum and Manly, and also in the north of the city.

“Crews are waiting for these lightning bolts to pass and then we can get stuck fixing them,” Energex spokesman Danny Donald told 4BC.

Brisbane airport tweeted on Tuesday afternoon that the storm was affecting flights

Flight Tracker shows multiple planes on the ground around 5pm at Brisbane airport with only incoming flights in the vicinity

The Met Office issued an updated severe weather warning at 4:15pm Tuesday for south-east Queensland.

Multiple storm cells are hitting the region affecting the City of Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Noosa, parts of Ipswich, Gympie, Logan, Toowoomba, the Gold Coast, Redland City, Scenic Rim, Western Downs, South Burnett and Moreton Bay Council Areas. .

Queenslanders have been warned of flooding in parts of the state from Tuesday with the north also affected by storms.

The Office said the Northern Territory and north-eastern New South Wales can also expect heavy rain throughout the week.

The sunshine state has several weather warnings in place as residents feel the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle, now approaching New Zealand.

Very heavy rain is expected just north of Brisbane where up to 200mm can fall, while Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide can also expect thunderstorms throughout the week.

It’s been a week of extreme weather with over 50 bushfires in Queensland on Monday morning and the Met Office warned more scorching temperatures are ahead.

More to follow.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning for the region Tuesday afternoon.