Queensland weather: Severe thunderstorms forecast for flood-hit regions

Severe thunderstorms are smashing parts of southern Queensland, with more than 42mm falling in an hour in places. And there is a serious risk of more to come this week, with fears renewed flooding could leave some communities isolated for weeks.

Communities across southern Queensland could be isolated for weeks with forecast thunderstorms threatening to prolong the state’s flood emergency.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a warning saying severe thunderstorms are bringing heavy rainfall to parts of southern Queensland, with the threat regions already impacted by floodwaters are also in the firing line.

Flooding affected large parts of Southern Queensland, most notably at Inglewood last week. Picture Lachie Millard

At 4.07pm, the Bureau warned heavy rain and severe thunderstorms are smashing parts of southern Queensland, with 42mm recorded in 1 hour northeast of Charleville.

The latest warning was issued for people in the Central Highlands and Coalfields and Maranoa and Warrego forecast districts.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours, the warning said.

Locations which may be affected include Roma, Injune, Mitchell and Surat.

Forecaster Justin Noonan says regions from Longreach to northern NSW would be in the firing line, with the storms likely to produce damaging winds and hail.

“Localised heavy falls bringing anywhere from 25-50mm are possible, and with the ground and waterways already saturated it doesn’t take much for the situation to deteriorate quickly,” Mr Noonan said.

National Weather Threat Map 6 December: #QLD#NSW#VIC#SA#WA#NThttps://t.co/eNeAEEVu2Ppic.twitter.com/0FupBTc0Ly

— EWN Alerts (@EWNAlerts) December 6, 2021

While the Macintyre River at Goondiwindi is dropping slowly, the threat of showers and thunderstorms could bring renewed flooding from midweek.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a major flood warning for the Weir River, at Talwood from Tuesday.

It comes as authorities warn that sustained flooding and damage to major roadways could keep border towns isolated for weeks.

⛈️ Thunderstorm forecast today: severe thunderstorms are possible in western #QLD with damaging wind gusts, in central #QLD with heavy rainfall, and in southern #QLD with a chance of heavy rainfall, large hail, and damaging wind gusts. Warnings if needed: https://t.co/CinugnxqkNpic.twitter.com/x1jFVuPi6H

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) December 6, 2021

More than 200 roads are currently closed across southern Queensland, including the Gore Hwy between Toowoomba and Goondiwindi, and the Cunningham Hwy just east of Goondiwindi.