81mm in an hour: Streets closed, flash flooding across Brisbane

Cars across Brisbane have been inundated by flash flooding and more than 50 streets are closed in SEQ after a massive downpour from a slow moving thunderstorm.

Flash flooding at Stones Corner after a massive downpour in Brisbane. Picture: Richard Walker

More than 50 streets across southeast Queensland have been closed after a thunderstorm Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Steve Hadley said it was a very localised rainfall.

“In parts of Brisbane early this afternoon, we had about 70 to 80mm falling in just over an hour,” he said.

“A lot of places didn’t get a lot of rainfall at all, especially in the northern suburbs.”

Mr Hadley said the rain led to some sharp rises in creeks around South Brisbane.

“Norman Creek and Slacks Creek had some really quick rises, but they’ve since gone back down again,” he said.

Flash flooding at Coorparoo after heavy rain. Picture: Damian Cole

“There was a lot of water running down towards the creeks, and it probably affected some of the streets with a bit of flash flooding for a little while.”

He also said the thunderstorm initially moved away towards the Lockyer Valley, so Upper Tenthill, a rural locality west of Brisbane, also experienced 54mm over an hour.

Mr Hadley said next week will remain wet for southeast Queensland.

“We’ve got a somewhat quiet day ahead of us on Sunday, with the showers pairing back a little bit,” he said.

“Through Monday to Wednesday, we see showers and thunderstorms returning to Brisbane and much of the southeast as well.”

Mr Hadley said the bureau was keeping a close eye on rivers and creeks in this situation.

“With the thunderstorms being quite isolated and where they’re producing heavy rainfall, it’s difficult to give an area where we’re particularly watching for floods,” he said.

“People just need to be aware that there is rain in the forecasts for the next few days. There could be some very localised flash flooding problems or river and creek rises.

“We’re not really looking at the same scale of events as the 2022 events over the next few days.”

Minor flood warning was in place for the Bremer River, Warrill Creek, lower Condamine River, Boyne River, lower Barcoo River, Paroo River, Warrego River and Diamantina River. caused widespread flash flooding.

It comes following an interrupted day one of the all-important third Test match between Australia and India at The Gabba.

Nearly 70mm of rainfall was recorded at East Brisbane in an hour while 81mm was

recorded at Mansfield.

The downpour has triggered flash flooding in Coorparoo, with cars on the verge of being inundated.

Thousands of diehard cricket fans were forced to flee the Gabba on a sellout day one as rain lashed the ground.

After some early play light rain quickly stopped proceedings.

Spirits were still sky high as Indian and Australian fans mixed it in the stadium.

But when the rain began to fall more heavily after the first hour fans had to cram into the undercroft area, creating chaotic scenes.

The so-called Gabba Troopers, dressed as Storm Troopers from the movie Star Wars, made the most of the intense heat and humidity by forming a huge human tunnel.

At one point famed former Queensland paceman Michael Kasprowicz drew an ear-splitting roar from the crowd as he ran the gauntlet of Troopers.

Many fans were forced to sit on the ground and eat or drink, with seats in short supply.

By lunchtime the rain intensified and the huge crowd began to disperse, pouring down Vulture St to try their luck at lunch at the German Club across the road on Vulture St.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe thunderstorm warning likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding was detected near Brisbane CBD and Enoggera.

However it quickly became overwhelmed and queues formed at the entrance.

Almost 100 people waited for share rides under a nearby 7-11 service station roof due to the “geo block’’ on share vehicles outside the stadium.

Most had to wait, up to an hour, because traffic had backed up on the Story Bridge and Captain Cook Bridge.

Storm activity is expected to drop after Saturday, but there is still “a chance of showers” on Sunday for SEQ.

More than 1,100 households in the rural areas of Balnagowan, Hampden, Marian, Pleystowe have lost power due to damages caused by the storm.

“Maximum temperatures will remain around 29/30C in Brisbane,” a BOM spokesman said.

The Sunshine Coast is predicted to have the heaviest rainfall over the weekend.

“Although there is more variability than normal in weather through the next week, so it’s best for South East Queensland residents to regularly check the forecast.”

Cricket fans seeking shelter at a service station near the Gabba. Picture: Georgia Clelland

Staff work on the pitch at the Gabba ahead of the third Test starting on Saturday. Picture: Adam Head

The Gabba Test deck had been tipped up as green as a green tree frog.

Curator Dave Sandurski had planned to get the mower out on the two sunny days forecast ahead of day one.

“We are just trying to make a traditional Gabba wicket like we do each year. Like last year. That is the aim. Weather conditions do come into it,” he said.