Bureau of Meteorology warns Gold Coast residents of possible flash flooding after rain drenches the city
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has slammed the Bureau of Meteorology after the city was drenched in rain, saying it was Christmas night storms fiasco “all over again”. See the huge rainfall totals.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has slammed the Bureau of Meteorology after the city was drenched in rain, saying it was Christmas night storms fiasco “all over again”.
On Wednesday, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) issued a warning at 4.52pm for large hailstones, damaging winds and heavy rainfall on the Gold Coast.
However, the heavy downpour started lashing the city around noon.
On Thursday, Mr Tate said the late alert was “another example of why we have to be ready for the oncoming storm season”.
“It’s last year (Christmas night storms) all over again. The BoM gave us the alert but the storm had already happened,” he said.
“It would have been better to get it an hour earlier.”
That weather event caused severe destruction in the city’s north, flooding and millions of dollars in clean-up and repairs.
He doubled down on his critiscm of the bureau on Thursday and said timely weather warnings were critical to disaster management.
“They just have to do better. They are going to hear about this loud and clear,” he said.
“I know mother nature is unpredictable but gee you don’t send the people an alert saying it’s going to rain when it’s already pouring.”
As of 6am on Thursday, Gold Coast suburbs recorded high rainfall totals including, 163mm in Mudgeeraba, 153mm in Burleigh Waters and 143mm in Tomewin.
Meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said the Gold Coast was expected to receive between 10mm and 30mm of rain on Thursday.
“We may see more flash flooding,” she said.
“Our advice to residents is to keep an eye on the radar and warnings. Weather situations like this can ramp up.”
On Thursday, many Gold Coast roads remained flooded including: Hardys Rd in Mudgeeraba, Tallebudgera Connection Rd in Tallebudgera, Currumbin Creek Rd in Currumbin, Hotham Creek Rd in Willow Vale, Somerset Dr in Mudgeeraba and Old Coach Rd in Reedy Creek.
The heavy rainfall on Wednesday caused significant flash flooding across the Gold Coast, impacting major roads including Bermuda St and the Gold Coast Hwy.
Gold Coast resident Missy Bevan shared a photo of two cars submerged in water on a Palm Beach road.
Jack Michael posted a video of flooding along the Gold Coast Highway past Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
Ms Bradbury said the wet weather conditions were expected to ease by Thursday afternoon, into Friday but there could be showers and the chance of a thunderstorm on Saturday.
She said the Gold Coast was expected to have more thunderstorms at the start of next week.
Join the conversation
‘Grand theft gelato’: Hospo boss helps chase down cyclone looter
While the majority of Gold Coasters have either bunkered down or are bravely pitching in to help the community tough it out, a handful of individuals have seen the chaos as a criminal opportunity.
Read more
‘End in sight’ as heavy rain hammers Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is making a slow recovery from the impact of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred with roads closed from flash flooding, more than 112,000 homes without power and drenching rain ongoing
Read more