Longstanding rain records smashed as parts of Qld cop heavy rainfall

Massive downpours across Queensland have smashed longstanding rain records in some areas and sparked a health alert for the Brisbane River following a wastewater release.

• Flooding road closures: Full list

Southeast Queensland has been hit by up to 200mm of rain as a monster weather system starts to track offshore.

The drenching triggered an Urban Utilities alert for people to avoid contact with the Brisbane River after a wastewater release.

The release occurred into the Brisbane River at Morningside.

People are urged to temporarily avoid contact with the Brisbane River between Vic Lucas Park at Bulimba and Colmslie Beach Reserve at Murarrie.

“This release occurred through a temporary emergency relief overflow structure at Morningside,” the statement read.

“These releases have been occurring during wet weather when stormwater flows infiltrate the wastewater network while one of the pipes inside the tunnel of the Bulimba-Hamilton Siphon is offline as part of its once-in-a-generation renewal.

“Excess wet weather flows are managed through this central, screened relief point to minimise impacts to customers and the environment.

“Releases during wet weather events are permitted during the project under our environmental authority from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation.

“We understand this may be disruptive and apologise for any inconvenience or concern.”

Queensland Health also issued a statement in response to the wastewater release, advising of the health risks after coming into contact with polluted water.

Floodwaters rage near a new bridge just outside between Nambour and Yandina after heavy rain on the Sunshine Coast.

“Coming into contact with polluted water can make you sick. It can lead to wound infections, diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, ear, nose and throat infections, and other infections,” the statement read.

“If you do come into contact with the Brisbane River in this area, wash your skin well and monitor yourself for any symptoms.”
It comes as Sky News Weather meteorologist Rob Sharpe said many parts of Queensland had experienced the heaviest August rain in more than a decade.

Central Queensland has copped the brunt of the weather, with significant falls at Samuel Hill, near Yeppoon (177mm), Byfield (139mm), Pacific Heights (112mm), Hedlow Airfield, west of Yeppoon (101mm), while 85mm fell at Rockhampton and 40mm at Gladstone.

Senior meteorologist at the Bureau Felim Hanniffy said the totals recorded at Pacific Heights and Rockhampton broke 80-year plus records.

A ute has been fully submerged in flood water at Yengarie.

“The 112mm at Pacific Heights was its highest August rainfall for over 100 years, while 85mm fell at Rockhampton, which broke an 84 year record for August,” Mr Hanniffy said.

“A couple other short-term 20- to 30-year records as well were broken across the region.”

The deluge prompted a number of rescues of people stuck in floodwaters.

In the North Burnett region, a vehicle driven by a female in her 60s got caught in flood water at the intersection of the Burnett Hwy and Isis Hwy at Ban Ban Springs just before 7pm on Tuesday.

She was taken to Biggenden Hospital in a stable condition.

Later Tuesday evening on the Sunshine Coast, a man in his 20s was rescued after his vehicle reportedly got caught in flood water at Chevallum Rd, Palmwoods just before 10pm.

According to a Queensland Police Service spokesman, the vehicle slid off the road and into a creek.

West of Maryborough, emergency crews responded to a fully submerged ute in a flooded causeway at Yengarie, early Wednesday.

Emergency services also raced to locate two children who became stuck in a drain after reportedly climbing inside.

Parts of the Sunshine Coast had recorded falls of 50 to 80mm and for many locations it was the wettest day since 2014.

Flooding on Stevens Rd, Mooloolah Valley.

“For areas in the Hinterland and the Gold Coast, we did see localised falls between 50 to 80mm in the last 24 hours. But for many locations, 2014 was wetter in terms of the Gold Coast and Brisbane areas,” he said.

“The heaviest rainfall has now passed, and that rain band is easing and breaking up. We will still get some potential for localised, moderate rainfall in the southeast,” he said.

“We are looking at dry and sunny conditions returning, particularly by the weekend and temperatures becoming a lot warmer.”

Mr Hanniffy said a fog watch would be in place for parts of South-East Queensland following the heavy rainfalls, with the potential to impact Brisbane airport on Thursday and Friday.

“Early morning fog will be a watch point and could lead to potentially hazardous driving conditions, particularly across those central and southeast districts that received all the rainfall. That will be for Thursday and Friday morning.”

“By the weekend, expect well-above-average temperatures and then we will see that kind of cooler westerly coming through over the weekend and probably give people more of a ekka-esque feel,” he said

Falls of 100 to 200mm are expected across Wednesday.

Ipswich Turf Club took to social media earlier today to announce its race meeting had been abandoned after a track inspection this morning.

The club originally planned for eight races to be conducted from 12.33pm.

It said the track had received further rain overnight and this morning, making it unsuitable for racing.

“Any horse that is accepted for this meeting can nominate and accept for any race meeting where acceptances have not been taken,” the club said.

Flood watches will remain active over coming days.

The rain hasn’t stopped Ekka crowds. Pic: Lyndon Mechielsen

Minor flood warnings remain place for several river systems, including the Burnett and Boyne rivers, the Kolan river and Baffle Creek, and the Burrum and Chrewell Rivers catchments.

A flood watch remains in place for South East Queensland coastal catchments, with the Mary, Noosa, Pine and Caboolture rivers impacted, along with the Upper and Lower Brisbane river.

Wappa Dam overflowing on the Sunshine Coast after heavy rain. Photo: Mark Furler

The Wide Bay and Burnett also saw heavy rainfall with 145mm at Mt Gayndah, 139mm at Mt Rawdon, and 131mm at Mingo Creek, with 45mm recorded at Bundaberg.

The Sunshine Coast also received heavy rainfall with 125mm at Mapleton and 124mm at Maleny, while on the coastline 51mm was recorded at Maroochydore.

The Moreton Bay region also saw good rainfall totals with 95mm at Mt Glorious, 74mm at Ocean View, 58mm at Mt Nebo, 58mm at Dayboro, while Brisbane recorded 29mm.

On the Gold Coast, 80mm fell at Upper Springbrook, 52mm at Beechmont, while 13mm was recorded at the Gold Coast Seaway.

A monster weather system is lashing the southeast