Thousands remain without power in Qld with more storms on the way

In short:

Schools are closed and tens of thousands of homes are without electricity after damaging storms hit parts of south-east Queensland yesterday.

Energex says recovery efforts may take some time, with many power poles downed or damaged.

More storms are forecast from the Gold Coast to Bundaberg today, with the potential to deliver more flash flooding, hail and damaging winds.

Tens of thousands of homes remain without power across south-east Queensland after severe storms swept through the region on Wednesday, with further cells forecast today.

About 55,000 properties are still without electricity, with most of the outages affecting residents in Logan, south of Brisbane.

Energex spokeswoman Rebecca Winter said many damaged powerlines and poles needed to be replaced.

"This is not going to be a quick fix — the damage is severe," she said.

"Fresh reinforcements are coming from further afield to back up the crews who have been on the job since yesterday afternoon."

More than 120,000 lightning strikes were recorded yesterday, Energex said, while the SES received more than 300 calls for help in the wake of the storms.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Jonathan How said much of south-east Queensland could be in the firing line for more storms today.

"The Gold Coast all the way up towards Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Bundaberg could all see severe thunderstorms again today," Mr How said.

"Again, [there is a] risk of flash flooding, large hail and damaging winds, so reminding people across that part of the east coast to keep across those forecasts and warnings through the day."

Eleven schools remain closed today in the Logan City Council region.

On its website, the Education Department said the schools would reopen "when safe for staff and students to attend".