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Brisbane, Australia hit with rain, hailstones

The storm caused an estimated $85 million in damage.

By Ed Adamczyk

BRISBANE, Australia, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- Brisbane, Australia, faces a massive cleanup effort after a storm brought rain, hailstones and flooding to the city.

Winds of 140 kilometers per hour (85 mph) brought down trees and interrupted electricity Thursday to over 90,000 homes in the city of 2.2 million, Australia's third-largest. More than 62,000 were still without power Friday. Transport Minister Scott Emerson said the damage total would reach 100 million Australian dollars ($85 million). "Mercifully, we are only hearing reports at this stage of 12 people being injured. I'm astounded but so grateful that that is all that we've got, given the amount of shrapnel flying around last night," said Queensland state Premier Campbell Newman.

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The storm arrived with the afternoon commute, trapping many people in Brisbane's electric-powered trains. High-rise building had their windows broken, and cars were submerged in the streets.

A spokeswoman for Queensland Fire and Emergency reported over 1,000 telephone calls for help were received during the storm, mostly regarding roof damage to homes. The convention hall where the G20 summit was conducted, two weeks ago, was damaged by rain and hail.

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Buses replaced trains Friday in the city, and schools were closed.

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