Heavy rain looks set to lash large parts of Queensland this weekend as the weather bureau issues several flash flooding and severe thunderstorm warnings for central and southern parts of the state.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has placed most of central and southern Queensland on flood watch as residents in the Wide Bay, Burnett and the state’s south-eastern forecast districts brace for potential flooding.
The BOM said severe storms were likely to produce heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding in Gympie, Cooroy, Imbil, Nambour and Rainbow Beach.
Residents in Gympie and Noosa are set to be hit with intense rainfall that could lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding, the BOM said.
Severe thunderstorm warnings have also been issued with heavy rainfall, large hailstones and damaging winds expected across much of central Queensland.
Areas expected to be hit include the Central Highlands and Coalfields, and parts of the Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Central West, Wide Bay and Burnett, Maranoa and Warrego, Darling Downs and Granite Belt, south-east coast and the Herbert and Lower Burdekin districts.
As a low pressures system lingers over central Queensland, a moist air mass has been pushed across eastern parts of the state.
The BOM said a trough or low may develop near the east coast later today and move towards the south-east coast in coming days before moving further south next week.
The low could bring heavy to intense rain from Saturday night into Monday, depending on the movement of the system.
Heavy thunderstorms are also developing further south near the New South Wales border.
Regions brace for flash flooding
The BOM has also issued a moderate flood warning for the Bulloo, Paroo and Macintyre rivers, while major flooding is possible for the Logan and Albert Rivers.
Major flooding is expected at Boonah along Teviot Brook from this afternoon onwards.
It comes after significant rainfall has already been recorded in the upper parts of the Teviot Brook catchment, including 40 millimetres at Mt Alford since 9am today.
Rapid rises and flash flooding in those areas are expected from tonight and into the weekend.
Residents in those areas have been warned already wet catchments will respond quickly to any further rainfall.
The BOM said the risk of flooding is further exacerbated by “a small tidal anomaly of up to 20cm” which will see increased rises to rivers and creeks in tidal areas.
Gold Coast on ‘high alert’
The Gold Coast City Council said it was now on high alert as severe weather closes in on the south-east corner.
Staff and machinery from the council’s disaster management centre have been mobilised and sandbagging stations have opened at Pimpama, Bilinga and Burleigh Heads.
Gold Coast beaches remain open with lifeguards assessing conditions after the council warned of hazardous surf conditions expected over the weekend.
Sandbagging stations have opened on the Gold Coast at Pimpama, Burleigh Heads and Billinga ahead of wild weather expected this weekend.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the city could experience potential flash flooding over the next few days.
“If you’ve got time to check your batteries and first aid kit, go ahead and do so,” he said.
“We’ll monitor this closely and if it means that our disaster management unit will meet multiple times then we will do so.
“La Niña is here as predicted, third year in a row.”
Cr Tate urged residents to check in on family and pets and to stay across the latest forecasts.
“The main thing is to have your contact information — to know where your family is,” he said.
“What are you doing with your pets … is it too late to take them to a friends on higher ground?
“They’re the sort of things that I would do straight up because your loved ones are the primary thing.”