A massive storm has produced the largest hailstones ever recorded in Australia, smashing houses and even collapsing a shopping centre roof.
The Bureau of Meterology said hail 16cm wide that fell at Yalboroo, north of Mackay in north Queensland, is a new Australian record.
'The previous record was 14cm observed in south-east Queensland last year,' the BoM said on Wednesday.
'The atmosphere was extremely unstable, which allowed hail to continue growing before gravity forced it to the ground.'
The previous record hail fell during severe thunderstorms in southeast Queensland on October 31 last year.
Hailstones collected by Mackay local John Caporn after the severe hailstorm in Queensland yesterday
'Hail that size has a terminal velocity of well over 100km an hour,' forecaster Shane Kennedy said
The roof of a Lowes store in Toormina, south of Coffs Harbour, collapsed under the weight of water, forcing the evacuation of 400 people from the shopping centre
'Hail that size has a terminal velocity of well over 100km an hour,' forecaster Shane Kennedy told the ABC.
Severe storms also hit northern NSW including the Coffs Harbour and surrounding towns, including damaging hail and winds.
The roof of a Lowes store in Toormina, south of Coffs Harbour, collapsed under the weight of water, forcing the evacuation of 400 people from the shopping centre.
SES Coffs Harbour said it was responding to more than 200 callouts about damage to properties and cars across Coffs Harbour, Toormina and Sawtell.
The heavy storm followed tornadoes seen on
