Huge Hailstorm - in the middle of my lesson!

Hailstorm causes 11-car pile-up
(from Australia news.com)

A SEVERE thunderstorm in south-east Queensland left a trail of destruction after hailstones hit the area like "missiles" today.

The hail smashed windows and roofs, while strong winds brought down trees in the Gold Coast's northern suburbs about 2pm (AEST).
Minor flooding was also reported and five houses in the Tallebudgera Valley lost power.

Gold Coast resident Tim Obank said the storm came across the area at tremendous pace.

"All of a sudden this colour came over grey and the next minute I hear this terrible noise," Mr Obank said on Channel 10.

"I didn't know what was happening and then I look out the window and missiles are going into my pool."

The State Emergency Service received more than 360 along the tourist strip after the storm ripped through the suburbs of Helensvale, Oxenford, Coomera, Mt Nathan, Gaven, Arundel and Coombabah.

A Counter Disaster and Rescue Services spokesman said more calls for help were expected throughout the evening as residents returned home from work.

The storm also played havoc on the roads, with hail blamed for a traffic pile-up that blocked parts of the motorway linking the Gold Coast to Brisbane.

Up to 11 cars were involved in the crash on the northbound lanes of the M1, near Coomera, which happened about the same time the storm swept through.

A police spokeswoman said some cars suffered severe hail damage, with windscreens smashed or cracked.

Cars parked outside theme parks in the area were also severely damaged by the hail.

The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted further thunderstorms for the region tomorrow afternoon.