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History

18 January 1985 (Brisbane), a severe hailstorm and tornado passed over Brisbane breaking thousands of windows, damaging many cars and tearing off many roofs. In just 30 minutes it caused insured losses of $299 million and a total estimated cost of $385 million.

18 March 1990 (Sydney) saw Australia's costliest hailstorm when Sydney's south-western suburbs were pelted with giant hailstones as large as oranges. The storm resulted in severe damage to homes, businesses, thousands of vehicles, trees and powerlines. An insured loss of $384 million and total estimated costs of $550 million resulted.

21 January 1991 (Sydney) was Australia's most-damaging thunderstorm with winds estimated at 230 km/hr large hail and torrential rain tearing through northern areas of Sydney. One person was killed and over 100 were injured in the storm. It also damaged over 7,000 homes, hundreds of businesses and downed 140 kilometres of powerlines. Insurance losses totalled $226 million, while total estimated costs reached $670 million.

On 27 January 1997 (Geelong) during a storm at Geelong, Victoria, lightning struck a group of people sheltering under a park gazebo, killing 2 and injuring another 4, 1 critically.