Sunshine Coast weather: Region smashed by rain as flash floods strike

The Sunshine Coast has been hit with a torrential downpour with some areas recording more than 150mm in less than five hours. Here’s the latest.

Southern parts of the Sunshine Coast have been smashed with a torrential downpour on Tuesday morning, with some areas recording more than 150mm in less than five hours.

With many areas around Brisbane waking up to flooding, the system then took aim at the region around Caloundra.

Upper Caboolture, Wamuran and Moodlu all record more than 200mm overnight, with the far southern reaches of the coast also passing 100mm.

A flood watch warning lies over much of the region with Sunshine Coast rivers and creeks, and the Noosa River, likely to be affected.

At 10.50am, a severe thunderstorm warning was also in place with intense rainfall expected from Caboolture to Caloundra.

Flash flooding at Lake Kawana. Picture – Jorina Maureschat.

Since 5pm yesterday, Monday January 29, to 1pm today, Tuesday, January 30, there were more than 130 SES jobs in the North Coast region, including more than 120 within the Sunshine Coast LGA.

Bureau of Meteorology spokesman Patch Clapp said the region had seen significant rainfall in the 12-hours from 1am-1pm Tuesday.

He said rain gauges at the Glass House Mountains, Upper Bells Creek and Sugar Bag had all recorded close to or above 200mm in that time frame.

“As this has tracked north through the day we have seen that kind of range, there was 300mm in the northern end of Brisbane, then through to Caboolture and now it’s gone onto the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Patch said.

“So I wouldn’t be surprised to see these kind of totals (300mm) as it continues to track through the Sunshine Coast and up through Wide Bay and the Burnett region as well.”

Mr Patch said BOM had a severe weather warning in place from the northern edge of Brisbane up to Bundaberg and west to Kingaroy.

“There’s locally intense rainfall which could lead to dangerous and life threatening flash flooding,” he said.

“The time frame is really for the reminder of today and into the early hours of tomorrow as well as it continues to track.”

Sunshine Coast Airport General Manager Operations Kate McCreery-Carr confirmed four flights had been diverted today, and two cancelled.

“With the severe weather affecting the region and heavy rainfall, multiple inbound flights have been diverted with some outbound flights also now cancelled,” she said.

“We may see more diversions and cancellations throughout the day as the weather continues to impact the region.

“We ask that both inbound and outbound passengers stay up to date with the latest information and status of their flight through their airline.”

The Caloundra Cricket Club became a rushing river, with secretary Paul Sichter saying they had received more than 160mm since 6am.

“Anecdotally from some of the players, they’ve said they’ve never seen it that high before,” Sichter said.

“I’ve only been at the club for two years so it’s the highest I’ve seen but other guys have been there a lot longer and said it’s the highest they’ve seen.

“The tide is in as well so it’s not getting away.”

Sichter said it was unlikely Caloundra would be in a position to take to the field this weekend.

“The covers are on so the pitches will be fine, it’ll be interesting to see if we get out there on the weekend though.

“There’s more forecast for Wednesday before it’s meant to be good on Thursday and Friday but we’ll wait and see.

“We mowed all our fields yesterday because we knew it was going to be wet but it’s just a matter of being able to get the roller out there but at the moment it’s highly unlikely.”

Drainwater pipes through Caloundra burst midmorning, with cars driving through gushing water on the streets.

The Caloundra Skate Park, beside the aquatic centre in Arthur St, has turned into a mini swimming pool, with locals joking it will soon become the newest swimming pool in the region.

The Caloundra skate bowl has turned into a pool following a torrential downpour earlier today. Picture: Bronson Tilley

Bronson Tilley estimated more than 1m of the skate park’s bowl had been filled with water.

Clippers Basketball on the Sunshine Coast has also cancelled all of their games for this evening.

In Maroochydore, a downpour has caused the Maroochydore Courthouse roof to start leaking in the middle of a district court trial on level three of the building.

Locals testing the depths of the water over the service road flooded by Martins Creek at Kunda Park. Picture – Mark Furler.

Countless schools across the Sunshine Coast have reported having many of their students picked up midway through the day as parents rush to beat the predicted flash flooding.

QFES and QPS have responded to a vehicle in floodwater at Buderim this afternoon at 1.30pm.

The bottom of Crosby Hill Road at Forest Glen and a well-placed sign to report road hazards. Picture: Mark Furler

A QFES spokeswoman said they’d sent a boat out to rescue a person who was in the flooded car on the corner of Harry’s Lane and Lindsey Rd.

She said they were also responding to a flooded basement nearby.

A QPS spokeswoman confirmed they were called to the job, but said the water was only up to the tyres of the vehicle. A Queensland Police Service spokesman said motorists should drive according to the conditions and keep their headlights on.

He said people should also stay updated with the latest weather and flood warnings.

Locals testing the depths of the water over the service road flooded by Martins Creek at Kunda Park. Picture – Mark Furler.