Heavy rainfall brings welcome relief to western Queensland

Parts of the Darling Downs have been smashed by a “super rare” rain event with 150mm falling overnight. More than 60 roads are cut across Queensland.

Parts of Queensland have been soaked overnight in a “super rare” rain event that saw one region cop 103mm in an hour.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s James Thompson said most of the rain fell just west of Warwick in Karara.

“We did have some exceptional rainfall and storms in the evening,” he said.

Up until 11.55pm on Tuesday at the Warahgai weather station in Karara, 103mm of rain fell within an hour and 148mm had fallen since 9am.

“It was a super rare event, we had some pretty significant warnings out for that one.

“It was very isolated, places up the road got closer to 40mm and some places even less nearby.

“The chance of exceeding that rainfall amount is 1 per cent each year.”

While the heaviest falls have cleared from the area after a trough moved up from northern New South Wales, Mr Thompson said there was still a chance of showers and storms today.

Estelle, Matilda and Edith Pearce playing in puddles in Barcaldine on Tuesday. Picture: Aaron Skinn

RACQ spokeswoman Clare Hunter said 64 roads were currently cut around Queensland.

“We’re seeing roads cut from Mount Isa, across to Cloncurry and all the way down to Goondiwindi due to the ongoing rains,” Ms Hunter said.

“While the rainfall is welcome in many parts of the region we need to reiterate the dangers of flooded roads, so again we’re urging drivers to never to drive through flood waters.

“Our RACQ LifeFlight choppers have conducted two dramatic rescues already this week to save the lives of people stranded by flood water and we don’t want to see anyone else putting themselves at risk.”

Ms Hunter urged anyone setting off on the roads to check RACQ Road Conditions before they left.

“No matter how often you drive these roads, or how familiar they are to you, wet weather can change them in an instant,” she said.

“Double check your route before you set off, drive to the changing conditions and be prepared to turn around if you come across flooding.”

For a full list of road closures, click here.

In North Queensland, Deeragun in Townsville saw 125mm of rain within 24 hours, while the coastal trough also caused 106mm in Rollingstone.

Hudson Nicol playing in puddles in Barcaldine on Tuesday. Picture: Aaron Skinn

Bureau of Meteorology’s Rosa Hoff said a large inland trough has caused high rainfall totals across the state’s southwest in recent days.

“We have a couple of showers around and the possibility of severe thunderstorms developing in that area today.”

Even though the trough is in the southwest over Birdsville, Ms Hoff said the rainfall was mostly impacting the surrounding areas of Longreach, Richmond and Hughenden.

With more than 70mm falling in Barcaldine since Christmas, local Elise Nicol said herself and her three-year-old Hudson have been loving the rain.

“This type of rain is extremely welcomed as it soaks in the ground and doesn’t all just run off to catchments,” she said

“Hudson is in awe of the rain and enjoys nothing more than getting wet and running through the puddles and sailing leaf boats in the gutters.

“All the cattle, sheep and native animals to the area will be spoiled with choice over fresh food which is truly what they needed.”

Across the southeast, Ms Hoff said there would be persistent coastal showers until the new year, but only up to 10mm each day was expected.

On Wednesday, Brisbane and the Gold Coast can expect to reach 27C with showers, while the Sunshine Coast will see temperatures up to 26C.

Rainfall from 9am Tuesday to 6am Wednesday

Warahgai – 148mm

Paget – 144mm

Mt Vince West – 151mm

Native Wells – 136mm

Gleneagle – 130mm

Dumbleton Rocks – 107mm

Mackay – 70mm

Spring Creek – 73mm

Grays Gate Exchange – 59mm

The Head – 56mm