South-East Queensland residents on alert as region braces for more severe rain, flooding
The extreme weather event has soaked NSW and Victoria. Photo: AAP
Queensland is bracing for more forecast extreme rain and flooding from above Bundaberg to the Sunshine Coast.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds, heavy rainfall and dangerous surf for a large swathe of South-East Queensland late on Sunday.
The warning area stretched along the coast from Seventeen Seventy to North Stradbroke Island near Brisbane.
By early Monday morning, a trough over the western Coral Sea had remained clear of the coast and spared towns of the worst of the expected rain.
But the risk remained, with the BOM warning that more wild weather would hit if the trough moved closer to the coast.
- Click here for the updated flood warnings
Gale wind warnings were in place for Fraser Island Coast, Sunshine Coast Waters and Gold Coast Waters. Capricornia Coast, Hervey Bay and Moreton Bay were expected to be hit by strong winds on Monday, too.
⚠️Severe Weather #Warning update: the trough and low have remained offshore keeping most of the severe weather away from the coast. There remains a risk of severe weather today if the trough and low move closer to the coast. Details and updates: https://t.co/CjLVPyhQb5 pic.twitter.com/kp6dxQgt0K
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) April 4, 2021
“Six-hourly rainfall totals between 120 to 160 millimetres are likely in areas,” a Sunday afternoon alert read.
The deluge could be even more dramatic for communities east of Bundaberg, Maryborough and Noosa Heads where isolated six-hourly rainfall totals could reach up to 250mm.
Several flood watch warnings have been activated, less than a fortnight after the state suffered loss of life and property damage in a widespread rain event.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services have urged people in the warning area to seek shelter, move their car under cover or away from trees, and not to drive, walk or ride through flood waters.
Hey there campers and outdoor adventurers, this one is for you. Make sure you monitor @QldParkAlerts for the latest on weather conditions affecting parks and forests 👇 https://t.co/MXIwZxscmh
— Qld Fire & Emergency (@QldFES) April 4, 2021
-AAP
