Heavy rainfall is expected to intensify across most of southern Queensland on Monday night as authorities warn there is “significant risk” for already flooded areas, including the Gold Coast hinterland, with some residents potentially facing “life-threatening” situations.
More than 20 Gold Coast roads were closed due to the flood waters which were receding slowly in some areas after peaking early Monday morning.
But authorities said already-flooded regions would be susceptible to further severe flash flooding as rain continued to fall.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning for most of southern Queensland. Falls of more than 150mm in a six-hour period were expected in some locations late on Monday and early on Tuesday.
⚠️Severe Weather Warning issued for southern Qld & #WesternQld⚠️
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 22, 2021
Heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding is likely today. Possible 6-hr rain totals: 50-70mm in the west, 100-150mm in the east. Significant risk to already flooded areas in #SEQ expected. https://t.co/h03cjbRuVd pic.twitter.com/WxHpKLfJ5J
Heavy rainfall was set to develop over the Channel Country area in the state’s south-west on Monday afternoon. By Tuesday morning, the severe conditions is expected to have extended to the east coast.
“The situation is likely to pose a serious risk to already affected and flooded areas. In some areas, the situation may become life-threatening,” the bureau warning stated.
Gold Coast beaches and most of its theme parks were closed. The city’s mayor, Tom Tate, was briefed on the situation on Monday morning.
“This is a slow-moving weather event with significant rainfall likely overnight,” Tate said. “The major creek systems across our city are in full flow so do not attempt to cross them or go near the creek banks and causeways.”
Steady rain fell on Monday, though in many parts of the Gold Coast the morning provided some respite from the threat of flooding.
Residents of three catchments – Mudgeeraba, Tallebudgera and Currumbin – had been subject to an emergency warning and told they might have to evacuate, after falls of more than 200mm on Sunday. That warning was lifted at 4am on Monday, after high tide.
In many of those flooded areas, emergency services crews spent Monday clearing debris in preparation for conditions to worsen.
State Emergency Service crews performed six rescues from flood water on Sunday, including a man whose car became inundated.
“There’s been inundation to homes, roof damage, trees down. Some of those calls involved multiple problems – water through the roof, coming up through the floor,” SES Queensland state coordinator Brian Cox said on Monday.
“We’re nervous because there’s more severe weather predicted, and with the landscape already saturated it means we’re twice as likely to see more flash flooding.”
With Australian Associated Press
