Severe storms have claimed the lives of at least nine people in Australia’s eastern states during the Christmas holidays, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The states of Victoria and Queensland were particularly hard hit, with widespread damage from downed trees and power lines, and tens of thousands of households left without electricity.

The devastating impact of the storms was highlighted by the tragic death of a nine-year-old girl who was swept into a flooded storm drain on the outskirts of Brisbane, the capital of Queensland. In Gympie, three women were also swept into a storm drain by surging floodwaters, resulting in two fatalities. The storms brought large hailstones, high winds, and torrential rain, causing rivers to flood and roofs to be ripped off by the intense winds.

In addition to the fatalities, eleven people were thrown into the ocean when their boat capsized in Moreton Bay in Queensland, leading to three deaths. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued warnings for coastal regions in Queensland, urging residents to remain vigilant against dangerous storms, life-threatening floods, giant hail, and damaging winds.

The impact of the storms was not limited to Queensland, as Victoria also experienced its share of destruction. Flash floods in Buchan, east of Melbourne, resulted in the tragic death of a woman. Furthermore, two people were killed by falling trees, highlighting the widespread and severe nature of the storms.

This tragic series of events comes in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Jasper, which caused flooding and widespread damage in Queensland, and ongoing bushfires in the country’s west. The storms, cyclones, and fires underscore the range of extreme weather events that Australia is experiencing, with the country currently in an El Nino phase, which can bring about a wide range of weather phenomena, from wildfires to tropical cyclones and prolonged droughts.

The storms and their aftermath are a stark reminder of the destructive power of nature, leading to loss of life, property damage, and widespread disruption. As cleanup and recovery efforts continue, the impacted communities and authorities are working tirelessly to provide support and assistance to those affected by the devastation.