Flooding, landslides across South East Queensland after severe storms dump 250mm in three hours

Monster storms have slammed into South East Queensland overnight, dumping 250mm in just three hours, triggering flooding, landslides and evacuations.

Monster supercell storms have slammed into South East Queensland overnight dumping an extraordinary 250mm in three hours, causing creeks to rise rapidly, landslides and a flurry of flood warnings.

It comes as Lismore residents devastated by flooding earlier this year are on alert again as heavy rainfall is forecast for much of NSW’s coast, with SES resources on standby as the flood-watch begins.

The Bureau of Meteorology cancelled a severe weather warning for the Gold Coast and said more warnings would be issued if the weather situation deteriorates.

“The immediate threat of severe thunderstorms has passed, but the situation will continue to be monitored and further warnings will be issued if necessary,” the cancellation read.

Some parts of South East Queensland recorded 250mm of rain in just three hours overnight. Picture: BOM

At 10.42pm Thursday, the Bureau of Meteorology released a severe thunderstorm weather warning for the southern Gold Coast Hinterland areas warning of heavy rainfall and flash flooding.

By 6am Friday, 312mm had fallen at Upper Springbrook in the Gold Coast Hinterland, 214mm at Mt Nimmel, 207mm at Mt Tamborine, 195mm at Clagiraba Rd, and 174mm in the Numinbah Valley.

In just one hour overnight, 92mm fell at Springbrook and 104mm fell at Clagiraba Rd.

Landslides have been reported along Pine Creek Road in Springbrook while a bridge has been taken out on Maudsland Road.

The Springbrook landslide is preventing Energex crews from accessing damaged sections of the power network near Springbrook.

An Energex spokesman said 500 customers would remain without electricity until the damaged section of the network can be accessed.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services responded to four rescue operations overnight.

One woman had to be rescued by swift water crews about 4.30am after she became stuck in her car on a bridge on Beaudesert Boonah Road. She was rescued along with her pet dog without injury.

Other rescues took place at Helensvale, Oxenford, and Mudgeeraba.

There are also concerns that rainfall for later today could cause further flash flooding for the Gold Coast region.

Brisbane Weather’s Dave Taylor said an upper level low pressure system was likely to form above Jacobs Well even if it doesn’t form, the oscillation of the system would still likely bring more rain for the region.

Mr Taylor said the rotation would pull rain and storm activity hovering off the Gold Coast about 8am towards the coast, bringing with it the potential for moderate and heavy rainfall.

“At this stage it looks like it will affect northern NSW, it might move back in towards Queensland in a couple of hours,” he said.

The Gold Coast City Council has opened three sandbagging stations this morning to help residents repel floodwaters.

The stations are at 232 Old Pacific Highway at Pimpama, 42-44 Boyd St at Tugun and the Reedy Creek Waste and Recycling Centre.

Residents are being warned to stay off flooded roads and drive carefully in the treacherous conditions.

All Gold Coast beaches have been closed as wild waves lash the coast.

Three teenagers had to be rescued after their boat overturned in the waters off Jacobs Well.

Volunteer Marine Rescue operators rescued the three boys after their small boat, believed to be a tinny, capsized about 9.40am.

They were brought to shore where paramedics treated two of the three boys for mild hypothermia, while a third was taken to the Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition with minor head injuries.

Campers staying at the Big 4 campsite at Helensvale woke to find their tents inundated, many racing to get caravans to higher ground while others watched the flood waters rise rapidly.

Flash flooding on the Gold Coast overnight. Picture: 9 News

One camper said he had no warning to get out, describing scenes of “absolute chaos” and dozens tried to get out at the same time.

“Within 20 minutes the water was going through our tent. It was up to our knees. We had no warning whatsoever,” he said.

Campers at Helensvale had to be evacuated after heavy rain and flash flooding hit the area. Picture: 9 News

The Tweed Valley Adventist College announced about 7am that the facility would be closed on Friday after the grounds were flooded overnight.

“School is closed today due to local flooding! We hope you’re all ok,” the school wrote on social media, posting photos showing the extent of the flooding.

Ovals and tennis courts were pictured underwater with floodwaters encroaching towards the base of the site’s buildings.

Flooding at Tweed Valley Adventist College. Picture: Supplied

The heavy rainfall also impacted campers at the CMC Rocks festival at Willowbank, with several abandoning their tents in favour of the warm, dry, interiors of their cars.

A flood warning was issued at 1.29am Friday warning of rapid river rises and flooding in parts of the Nerang and Coomera river catchment areas.

“A widespread area of thunderstorms over the South Coast catchment area has produced heavy to intense rainfall with rainfall totals of 150 – 250mm recorded in the last 3 hours,” the warning read.

A backyard at Pimpama was flooded in two hours. Picture: Edwin Smeulders via FB

“The heavy rainfall has caused rapid river and creek level rises and minor to moderate flooding in some areas.

“Further heavy rainfall is forecast for the next few hours which is likely to further elevate flooding in the catchment area.”

Impacted waterways include the Pimpama, Coomera, and Nerang rivers, and Mudgeeraba, Tallebudgera, and Currumbin creek.

A severe storm off the Gold Coast this morning. Picture: BOM

A number of roads were closed at 7.30am across the Gold Coast region including:

• Maudsland Road, Maudsland
• Beaudesert Boonah Road, Coulson
• Hardy’s Road, Mudgeeraba
• Clagiraba Road, Clagiraba
• Birds Road, Guanaba
• Signato Drive, Helensvale
• Hotham Creek Road, Willow Vale
• Lanes Road, Wongawallan

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Helen Reid said many areas, including Springbrook and Clagiraba Rd, had met the technical threshold for ‘intense’ rainfall.

“Each area has different requirements to pass that based on their own circumstances but when you’re getting 104mm in an hour, that is certainly intense,” Ms Reid said.

“The good news is that while there is rain forecast for today, it won’t be as intense and will be slowing throughout the day.”

Ms Reid said the Gold Coast region, particularly people closer to the NSW border, would be the most likely to see heavy falls on Thursday.

SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL TOTALS

140mm Oxenford Weir

207mm Mt Tamborine

166mm Hinze Dam

312mm Upper Springbrook

214mm Mt Nimmel

174mm Numinbah Valley

177mm Canungra

HOW THE DELUGE UNFOLDED:

Clagiraba Road: 104mm in an hour to 11.54pm, 118mm in two hours to 12.18am

Upper Springbrook: 92mm in an hour to 10:28pm, 152mm in 2 hours to 11:27pm, 222mm in 3 hours to 12:23am

Hotham Creek: 90mm in an hour to 12am

Numinbah Valley: 89mm in an hour to 11.03pm, 124mm in two hours to 11.57pm

Oxenford Weir: 79mm in an hour to 12.35am, 100mm in two hours to 1.09am

Canungra Army: 107mm in three hours to 12.34am

Mt Tamborine: 69mm in an hour to 11.37pm, 95mm in two hours to 11.49pm

Pacific Pines: 77mm in an hour to 12.50am

Little Nerang Dam: 90mm in two hours to 1.02am, 111mm in three hours to 1am