Qld feeling effects of La Nina as Brisbane records heavy rainfall, flooded streets

The wettest November day in 40 years dumped widespread falls of 140mm across Brisbane on Tuesday, flooding city streets, ahead of more heavy falls today and over the next week.

Parts of South East Queensland experienced flash flooding on Tuesday, with more storms expected to build inland on Wednesday and spread across the eastern parts of the state on Thursday.

Almost 140mm fell in parts of Brisbane from 9am Tuesday, with the heaviest falls recorded at Eagle Farm (138mm), Bulimba (132mm) and Lytton (123mm).

It was Brisbane’s wettest November day in 40 years, with yesterday’s downpour of 138mm at Eagle Farm the heaviest since previous regional records show 169mm fell on November 2, 1981

Meteorologist Helen Reid said the current rainfall total recording system has only operated for 23 years, making yesterday’s downpour officially the heaviest November fall on record.

She said the downpour was right across Brisbane with 100mm falling within six hours.

The Bureau of Meteorology is warning there will be little respite from the rain over the next seven days, with another 135mm forecast.

Southeast Queensland is facing a seven-day drenching, with up to 135mm forecast. Picture: Windy.com

Ms Reid said authorities will be watching river levels very closely for the coming days as the consistent and widespread falls mean local catchments will maintain their level and could rise dramatically.

“The existing warnings are expected to remain over the coming days, even if levels reduce the forecasted thunderstorms and the consistent showers could see new river catchments added to the list of flood warnings,” she said.

As of 1.30pm on Friday there were flood mornings in place for the lower Macintyre River, the Weir River, Barcoo River, Bulloo River, Dawson River, Eyre Creek, Paroo River (QLD), Wallam Creek, Condamine River, Balonne Rivers, Moonie River, Bremer River, Warrill Creek, Diamantina River and the Warrego River (QLD).

The heaviest falls are expected today, with 25mm possible in Brisbane, and on Saturday when 35mm if forecast. It is predicted to rain every day for the next week.

Just before 9pm Tuesday, the Brisbane Rd service road westbound on the Ipswich Motorway flooded and was temporarily shut.

There were reports of a man who drove into floodwaters and had to exit his vehicle, although authorities weren’t required for a swiftwater rescue.

Diversions were in place via Old Logan Rd and motorists were being advised to avoid the area.

Earlier the Bureau of Metrology declared Australia’s second consecutive La Nina event which is likely to persist into Autumn 2022.

La Nina has developed in the tropical Pacific and is expected to increase the likelihood of cyclones and heavy downpours this summer.

Michael Bacon managed to capture the effects of the heavy downpour at Eagle Farm today, as drivers braved the wild weather and attempted to drive through flooded streets.

A car found itself in deep water on the corner of Kingsford Smith Dr & Harvey St, Eagle Farm. Picture: Michael Bacon

Streets were fully submerged after flash flooding at Eagle Farm on Tuesday. Picture: Michael Bacon

SCROLL DOWN FOR RAINFALL TOTALS

A major flood warning remains in place for the lower Macintyre River and Weir River, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting widespread rain across Queensland for the remainder of the week.

BRISBANE Queensland

Rainfall totals

Eagle Farm 138mm

Bulimba 132mm

Lytton 123mm

Brisbane 119mm

Hemmant 113mm

Bowen Hills 91mm

Brisbane Airport 85mm

East Brisbane 86mm

Toombul 83mm

Geebung 81mm

Mitchelton 80mm

Dunwich 78mm

Burleigh Waters 43mm

Current flood warnings:

Major Flood Warning for the lower Macintyre River and Flood Warning for the Weir River

Minor Flood Warning for the Barcoo River

Minor Flood Warning for the Bulloo River

Minor Flood Warning for the Dawson River

Minor Flood Warning for the Eyre Creek

Minor Flood Warning for the lower Warrego River (QLD)

Minor Flood Warning for the Paroo River (QLD)

Minor Flood Warning for the Wallam Creek

Flood Warning for the Condamine River and Balonne Rivers

Final Flood Warning for the Bremer River and the Warrill Creek

Final Flood Warning for the Diamantina River

Initial Flood Watch for Western, Central and Southern Queensland

Initial Minor Flood Warning for the Moonie River