On 13 October 1998 severe thunderstorms occurred in the area of Warwick. The impact of the storm included damage to 12 homes, commercial buildings, trees uprooted, and significant crop damage. Later the same day storms occurred in the Brisbane area causing widespread damage to houses, buildings and trees being uprooted. Inner city rail services ceased operation for several hours. Brisbane Airport recorded significant wind gusts of up to 119 km per hour. Hail the size of golf balls were reported in the Brisbane and Gympie areas.

The Insurance Council of Australia estimated the 1998 damage at $23 million, with the 2017 estimated normalised cost of $91.1 million.