Severe weather has a way of reminding people how quickly everyday life can turn into a crisis. For one young mother in southern Queensland, a routine drive became a terrifying experience that tested instinct, courage, and parental devotion. When a sudden and powerful hailstorm struck without warning, her only focus was protecting her infant child—no matter the personal cost.
The incident, which unfolded during a fast-moving storm system sweeping across Queensland, has drawn widespread attention not because of spectacle, but because it highlights the powerful instincts of parenthood and the dangers posed by increasingly extreme weather events.
This story is not just about one family’s frightening experience. It is also about preparedness, emergency response, community resilience, and the growing impact of severe storms across Australia.
A Normal Drive Turns Dangerous
Fiona Simpson was travelling through southern Queensland on a Thursday afternoon with her baby daughter and the child’s grandmother. The drive was expected to be uneventful. Weather conditions earlier in the journey had not suggested anything out of the ordinary.
However, as is often the case with severe storms in the region, conditions changed rapidly. Dark clouds formed overhead, rain intensified, and visibility dropped within minutes. Recognising that the weather was worsening, Ms Simpson decided to pull over to the side of the road to wait for conditions to improve.
Moments later, the situation escalated dramatically.
The Storm Strikes Without Warning
What began as heavy rain quickly turned into a violent hailstorm. Large hailstones began crashing down on the vehicle with alarming force. Ms Simpson later described the sound as deafening, with impacts so strong that it felt as though the car was under attack.
Some of the hailstones were later described as being roughly the size of tennis balls. Under such force, the vehicle’s windows began to shatter. Glass broke near the back seat, where her baby daughter was secured in her car seat.
With no time to think and no chance to escape the storm, Ms Simpson reacted on instinct.
A Split-Second Decision Driven by Instinct
As the hail continued to strike the car, Ms Simpson realised that the rear windows had been smashed, exposing her child to flying debris and falling ice. In that moment, fear gave way to action.
She climbed from the front seat into the back of the vehicle and placed her own body over her baby daughter, using herself as a shield. Hailstones continued to crash into the car, striking her back, shoulders, and arms as she tried to cover her child completely.
Later, she would say that there was no time to process what was happening.
“It was terrifying, but there was no time to be scared,” she explained in a later interview. “Everything happened so fast.”
Inside the car, the noise was overwhelming. The hail was so loud that even though her baby was crying, Ms Simpson said she could not hear her over the sound of the storm.
The Aftermath Inside the Vehicle
After what felt like an eternity, the intensity of the hailstorm began to ease. The worst of the storm passed, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
Ms Simpson carefully returned to the driver’s seat and assessed the situation. The car had suffered significant damage. Several windows were broken, and the body of the vehicle was dented and scarred by the hail.
Despite her injuries and shaken state, she managed to drive the damaged car to a nearby house to seek help. Only then did she begin to fully feel the physical toll of what had happened.
Injuries Revealed After the Adrenaline Faded
Once Ms Simpson was safe and medical assistance had been called, the adrenaline that had carried her through the ordeal began to wear off. That was when she realised how badly she had been hurt.
Her back, shoulders, and arms were badly bruised from the repeated impacts of the hailstones. Later photographs she shared showed extensive marks covering much of her upper body—visual evidence of the force she had absorbed.
She was transported by ambulance for medical assessment. It was during this time, she said, that the emotional weight of the situation truly hit her.
“It wasn’t until I was in the ambulance that I realised how serious it could have been,” she said. “If I hadn’t done that, my daughter could have been badly injured or worse.”
“You Do Anything to Protect Your Child”
In the days following the storm, Ms Simpson shared her experience publicly on social media. Her post included photographs of her injuries and a message reflecting on what had happened.
“I’ve learned my lesson—never drive in a hailstorm,” she wrote. She made it clear that despite the pain and fear, she had no regrets about her actions.
“I’m just a mum,” she said. “You do anything you can to protect your child, no matter what.”
Her message resonated with parents across the country, many of whom shared similar sentiments. For Ms Simpson, the most important outcome was that her daughter and her mother escaped without injury.
She has since said that she would make the same decision again without hesitation.
A Storm That Impacted an Entire State
The storm that caught Ms Simpson was part of a much larger weather system that moved rapidly across Queensland. Authorities described it as severe, fast-moving, and unpredictable.
The system brought with it a combination of giant hail, torrential rain, and damaging winds. In some areas, wind speeds reached up to 60 miles per hour, strong enough to topple trees and bring down power lines.
Rainfall totals were also significant. In certain regions, up to 100 millimetres of rain fell within a 24-hour period, increasing the risk of flash flooding and making travel extremely dangerous.
Emergency Services Under Pressure
Queensland’s emergency services were quickly overwhelmed by the scale of the damage. More than 300 calls for assistance were reported as the storm moved through communities.
Calls ranged from reports of fallen trees and damaged homes to vehicles trapped by debris. In one case, emergency crews responded to a driver who had become trapped after a large tree fell across their car.
Rescue teams worked through dangerous conditions, using chainsaws to clear blocked roads and gain access to affected areas. In some locations, fallen trees and floodwaters cut off entire neighbourhoods.
Impact on Vulnerable Communities
Elderly residents and people with limited mobility were among those most affected by the storm. Blocked roads and power outages left some individuals unable to leave their homes or access assistance.
Emergency services and community volunteers worked together to check on vulnerable residents, deliver supplies, and ensure that those in need received help as quickly as possible.
The storm highlighted the importance of community preparedness and neighbourly support during extreme weather events.
Emotional Toll on Affected Families
Brian Cox, director of Queensland’s State Emergency Service, said the storm had taken a heavy emotional toll on residents.
“People are incredibly distressed,” he said. “Losing roofs, seeing homes damaged—it’s very emotional for families.”
Mr Cox urged patience as emergency crews navigated hazardous conditions and worked to reach all affected areas safely. He also reminded residents that storm season was just beginning and encouraged people to take steps to prepare.
Tornadoes Leave Rural Areas Devastated
In addition to hail and flooding, the storm system also spawned tornadoes that tore through several rural communities. The damage in these areas was described as devastating.
Roofs were ripped from homes and farm buildings, sheds were lifted from the ground, and fields were left strewn with debris. Crops were destroyed, and livestock losses were reported.
For farming families, the damage represented not only emotional distress but also significant financial hardship.
Farmers Count the Cost
Chicken farmer Leanne Geri was among those affected. She reported losing hundreds of birds during the storm, many of which were killed by debris, exposure, or sudden cold conditions.
“It’s been such a dry period, and then this storm just comes through and destroys everything,” she said. “It’s heartbreaking.”
Ms Geri estimated that as many as 800 chickens may have been lost. She also reported damage to sheds, solar panels, and equipment, with twisted metal scattered across her property.
She estimated the total damage could reach hundreds of thousands of dollars, adding that recovery would take considerable time and effort.
Dairy Farms Also Hit Hard
Brian Tessmann, president of Queensland Dairy Farmers, also described extensive damage to his property. He said the storm lifted the roof from both his home and dairy facility.
“It was chaos,” he said. “Water was pouring in, doors were forced open, and belongings were flying everywhere.”
For farmers, such storms threaten livelihoods that often depend on years of hard work and investment. Recovery involves not only rebuilding structures but also restoring production and caring for affected animals.
Ongoing Assessments and Recovery Efforts
Authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage across Queensland. Insurance claims are being lodged, and clean-up efforts are ongoing in both urban and rural areas.
Emergency services remain on alert as weather conditions remain unpredictable. Residents are being urged to stay informed, avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather, and check on neighbours who may need assistance.
Lessons From the Storm
The experience of Fiona Simpson and countless others affected by the storm serves as a powerful reminder of how quickly circumstances can change. It underscores several key lessons:
- Severe weather can develop with little warning
- Stopping travel during dangerous conditions can save lives
- Preparation and awareness are critical
- Parental instinct and courage can make the difference in emergencies
Ms Simpson’s story, in particular, highlights the lengths parents will go to protect their children, even in the face of serious personal risk.
Preparing for Future Storms
As climate patterns continue to shift, severe weather events are expected to become more frequent and intense. Authorities encourage families to have emergency plans in place, including:
- Monitoring weather forecasts
- Avoiding travel during severe storms
- Knowing where to seek shelter
- Keeping emergency supplies in vehicles and homes
Education and preparation remain key to reducing the risks posed by extreme weather.
Conclusion: Strength, Instinct, and Community
The Queensland storm left behind damaged homes, injured residents, and shaken communities. Yet it also revealed stories of resilience, bravery, and compassion.
For Fiona Simpson, the experience was life-changing. Her injuries will heal, but the memory of that moment—shielding her child from harm—will remain with her forever.
“I’m just a mum,” she said. “You do whatever it takes.”
Her words reflect not only a mother’s love, but the strength found in ordinary people when faced with extraordinary circumstances.