News Service from House Harris

QLD: Person dies after being swept away in stormwater drain

BRISBANE, Nov 16 AAP - A person has died after being swept away in a stormwater drain as severe storms lashed southeast Queensland.

Police said two people were in a stormwater drain in Chermside in Brisbane's north about 6pm (AEST) when heavy rain flooded the drain.

"One person was able to hold on to a grate and QFRS (Queensland Fire and Rescue Service) were able to pluck him out, however, they couldn't find the second person," the spokeswoman said.

The body of a male, believed to be in his early twenties, was found by rescuers further down the drain about 9pm on Sunday.

Police are yet to identify the pair.

The destructive storm system moved from the Gold Coast hinterland through Brisbane and to the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

About 145,000 homes and businesses lost power as thunderstorms and destructive winds battered the southeast corner of the state.

Energex, which is the main electricity provider in the region, said 131,000customers remain without power.

The storm was the biggest to hit the region in the past six years, Energex spokesman Mike Swanston said.

"It looks like it is the biggest storm since 2002," Mr Swanton said.

The northern suburbs of Brisbane were the worst affected with 60,000 homes losing power.

A Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) spokesman said the storm was heading north.

A severe weather warning is current for Hervey Bay and Bundaberg.

AAP krclh =0A