Danger not over yet for Queensland as 76-year-old man brings horror death toll to nine

A staggering photo of a quad bike hanging from power lines shows how high flood waters rose in Queensland as authorities warn the danger is not over.

While much of southeast Queensland is enjoying blue skies and a reprieve from rain, more severe weather is forecast to hit Queensland later this week with authorities warning the danger is not over yet.

The state’s flood bill continues to rise as residents begin the massive clean up as a photo of a quad bike suspended on powerlines at Gympie shows the reality of the aftermath.

Some areas of southeast Queensland were smashed by its worst flood in a century earlier in the week.

Flood waters rose so high, residents had their entire homes destroyed.

Some watched water tanks float away, while the water rose so high in the streets a quad bike was seen hanging on powerlines after the water receded.

However, authorities have warned the worst may not be over with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting more rain across the region at the end of the week.

Flood waters at Gympie rose so high a quad bike was washed onto power lines. Picture: Facebook

BOM said by Wednesday afternoon more showers and storms could return to the region.

Brisbane River peaked at 3.35 metres during Tuesday’s high tide with floodwater being pushed into homes.

The body of a 76-year-old man who went missing in floodwater near Glen Esk on Sunday was found submerged in his car at Paddy Gully Creek at Moombra.

His death brings the toll from the disaster to nine.

While Queenslanders are waiting for the water to recede, emergency services are still rescuing people in the Logan area.

The Logan River continued to rise on Tuesday night as high tide swept through about 10.30pm while water levels at Waterford had risen to 11.15 metres.

Up to 151 schools have been closed across the region up to Wednesday as the flood crisis continues.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner Mike Wassing said there were three water rescues overnight to Wednesday morning.

Flood damage in Oxley as the region is set to be hit with more wild weather. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

“We’ve had another 85 requests for assistance, that makes a total of 10,200 requests for assistance and 638 water rescues,” Commissioner Wassing told Today.

“That is certainly dropping off and our focus with the community and local councils and all of our partners is really now focused on the relief and recovery efforts.”

Mr Wassing warned floodwaters remained high across Maryborough, Brisbane and Logan.

“It is still a very dangerous environment,” he said.

“Unfortunately from a weather perspective the bureau are now predicting the potential for severe storms later on today and through to the weekend.”

Mr Wassing said even with waters receding there is still “a lot of damage” and warns residents to remain cautious.

While residents are returning to work and schools, road closures remain in place as debris is strewn across roads.

Queensland Police commissioner Katarina Carroll and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk spoke with 4-year-old Beckham Waghorn in Jindalee following the horror floods. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

“With the weather coming through this afternoon and through to the weekend, our plans are in place for that,” Mr Wassing said.

“Be aware of the situation. Be aware of the weather. We expect we are going to get local storms, what will come with that will be very quick flash floods, and during those storms, it’s best not to be on the road and allow people and allow our emergency service workers to get to the areas that they need to.”

While BOM can’t predict the amount of rain set to fall, it is expected between 50 to 100mm each day could affect water levels.

BOM meteorologist Jonathon How said the “danger is not over yet” as severe weather could hit the region later in the week.

Brisbane received almost a year’s worth of rain in the three-day weather event.

Up to 30 suburbs have been affected by the rain with damage expected to cost billions of dollars.

Originally published as Danger not over yet for Queensland as 76-year-old man brings horror death toll to nine