On 13 October 1998, severe thunderstorms occurred in the Warwick area. There was extensive damage to houses; showground buildings were unroofed, trees uprooted and the caravan park severely damaged. The storm also caused significant crop damage. Winds to 100km/h and golf ball sized hail caused extensive damage around Warwick at 11am.

Many Buildings at the Warwick Show grounds were extensively damaged and 21 houses were reported as having lost their roofs. Many power lines were brought down by tree branches and flying sheets of iron. The hail caused widespread damage to crops on the Darling Downs, especially around Warwick and Pittsworth