Dust storm leaves Australian town covered in film of orange

Authorities said dust storm caused by dry, hot conditions: Queensland Police
Authorities said dust storm caused by dry, hot conditions: Queensland Police

A 124-mile wide storm which swept through the outback has left an Australian town and its residents covered in a film of orange dust.

Roofs were partially ripped off, road signs damages and trees felled as gusts of 60mph swept through Charleville, in southwest Queensland.

Authorities said the dry, hot conditions had allowed strong winds to pick up dirt and spread it across the town, around 460 miles west of Brisbane.

"We do see a fair few dust events through the western parts of Queensland because it is such a dry and hot place, but it's definitely one of the more impressive events of the last few years," said Harry Clark, from Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.

Locals took to social media to share the apocalyptic scenes.