Flood warnings activated for Logan and Albert rivers after 152mm downpour, severe storms

Flood warnings have been issued as weather forecasters warn Southeast Queensland is expected to be smashed with severe storms on Wednesday.

A huge storm system approaching the southeast, including Brisbane, on Monday night that delivered widespread rainfall.

Flood warnings have been issued as weather forecasters warn Southeast Queensland is expected to be smashed with severe storms on Wednesday.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued an updated weather alert at 4.52pm on Tuesday for severe thunderstorms for people in parts of Central Highlands and Coalfields, Wide Bay and Burnett and Capricornia Forecast Districts.

The warning stated that a humid and unstable air mass was combining with a surface trough to lead to the development of severe thunderstorms over the southeastern quarter of the state.

But at 6.12pm the BOM cancelled the warning, saying it would continue to monitor the weather on Tuesday night.

Wednesday however is expected to bring heavy rain and dangerous thunderstorms with the BOM releasing its predictions that Southeast Queensland would be hit hard in the afternoon and evening.

While a flood warning has been issued for two southeast Queensland rivers following a spate of thunderstorms and widespread rainfall, with residents told to brace for more severe weather.

Overnight more than 250,000 lightning strikes were recorded as severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall swept across the southeast.

The SES received 52 requests for assistance due to ongoing severe weather in SEQ overnight with the call-outs located within Ipswich, Logan and Brisbane.

Near the Queensland and New South Wales Border, Upper Running Creek copped the highest rainfall total, seeing 152mm since 9am yesterday.

The Brisbane and Ipswich areas received less rainfall, with Brisbane Airport recording 16mm since 9am.

Further south, Marsden received 36mm, Carrara copped 59mm and Mount Tamborine received 71mm.

Beaudesert saw 108mm, Palen Creek copped 126mm and Thornton received 117mm since 9am on Monday.

Heavy rainfall since Monday has caused the Bureau of Meteorology to issue a minor flood warning for both the Logan and Albert rivers early this morning.

Rain and storms are expected to lash Queensland all week. Photo: Brisbane Weather

The rain has caused significant river level rises along the Logan River and its tributaries. Minor flooding is likely at Beaudesert from Tuesday morning. The Logan River at Beaudesert is currently at 1.62 metres and rising, below the minor flood level (5.50 metres).

At 12:17pm a moderate flood warning had been issued for the Bremer River and a minor flood warning for Warrill Creek.

The weather bureau tipped that rising water along the Bremer River could cause moderate flooding at Rosewood.

Minor flooding was likely downstream at Five Mile Bridge and Walloon from Tuesday afternoon.

Along Warrill Creek, minor flooding was already occurring at Amberley and a flood peak was expected by Tuesday evening.

The weather bureau’s Jonathan How said the storms developed near the Darling Downs and pushed through towards the southeast.

“They really merged into quite a large and heavy amount of rain overnight. So we did see some very widespread falls across the southeast of Queensland,” the forecaster said.

“The highest falls were to the Gold Coast and the Gold Coast hinterland, and along the New South Wales border.

Lightning smashes South East Queensland as violent storms pass through

“Not surprisingly we did see some very rapid river and creek rises, particularly the Logan River down towards the New South Wales border which we did see rising very quickly, and got to above moderate levels very rapidly.

“We have some warnings current for the Logan and Albert rivers and initial flood warnings – so reminding people to keep an eye on that through the morning.”

Further north, Julia Creek experienced damaging wind gusts of up to 146 km/h.

Storm clouds over Peaks Crossing this afternoon if you want – Pic: Tini Ivins

“There were quite destructive wind gusts for Julia Creek airport – that did generate quite a bit of damage to that town and Winton also reported some damage,” he said.

“The airport (in Winton) only received a gust of 81 kilometres an hour, but is likely that we did see some stronger localised gusts through western parts of Queensland, so that has generated a bit of damage.

“Thankfully, though, we didn’t see those sorts of wind gusts across the southeast.”

Mr How said the southeast is expected to see more thunderstorms this afternoon.

“We’re seeing a few showers push off the Sunshine and Gold Coast this morning. But heading into the afternoon, we can expect showers and storms to reach across the southeast.

“Gold Coast, Brisbane, Toowoomba, and Sunshine Coast can expect to see showers and storms this afternoon. Again, we expect to see severe thunderstorms,” he said.

“Keep an eye out for warnings that could bring more heavy rainfall as well as some damaging winds and large hail this afternoon and evening.

“So reminding people to keep an eye on the radar and warnings, because it could be is likely to be another stormy day today.”