CHASERS from regions afar converged on the Downs on Saturday to set up for the expected storm outbreak and Mother Nature didn't let them down.

I chased areas from Stanthorpe to Allora and struck some very dangerous lightning and blinding rain causing whiteout conditions while I was driving.

At Freestone I was surrounded by bolts landing in the paddocks around me and, needless to say, I made a hasty retreat to the car.

No photo is worth your life.

I core-punched the cell as it came over Freestone Rd and drove through some of the heaviest rain I have ever seen.

85kph winds were fighting against my chase vehicle and I was having a hard time keeping it on the road at some stages.

I was amazed that at 6pm I had my lights on high beam and could hardly see the road.

I wanted to pull over but I couldn't see where the shoulder of the road was so I kept going until I was clear of the storm near Mt Tabor.

It was the best fun I have had in a long time!

Elvis Pampling, a chaser from Willowvale was based at the Warwick Aerodrome when the storm struck and he reported close and extremely dangerous lightning, high gusting winds and some hail stones.

Another report came in from Karara of hail and very high winds that blew down some trees and lifted a small shed and smashed it.

Once again Higgins Storm Chasing worked non-stop during the event posting warnings, photographs and information to the public without a break for 20 hours straight.

While these storms gave us some much-needed rain, they also caused some minor flash flooding, blew some trees and fences down and a few people lost their trampolines.

(Tie them down, people!)

It always pays to check your yard for loose objects that can be lifted and cause damage.

Terry West, Southern Downs Weather and Storm Chasing