Storm cuts power to 4500 Queensland homes

Residents between the Gold Coast and Gladstone have been warned to brace for flash flooding and large hailstones as severe thunderstorms batter Queensland's south-east.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) issued a warning on Tuesday evening advising people as far west as Dalby to prepare for damaging winds and heavy rainfall.
An Energex spokesman late on Tuesday told AAP about 4500 customers had been without power at various times throughout the afternoon.
Power had been restored to more than 2300 homes and businesses since 1pm (AEST), he said.
Almost 20,000 lightning strikes had occurred across the region, causing the blackouts.
Queenslanders were advised earlier in the afternoon to secure any loose items around their home and monitor the radio ahead of the thunderstorm.
A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Brisbane, Toowoomba, the Sunshine and Gold coasts, as well as Gympie and Moreton Bay.
"Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours," the BoM advisory said.
The next warning will be issued at 10.30pm (AEST).