‘Life-threatening’ Gold Coast flash flooding: Road closures, drowned bus, stranded campers
Dozens of roads closed, 100s of emergency callouts and holiday-makers stranded as “life-threatening flash flooding” hits the Gold Coast New Year’s Day. See updates, outlook, safety info for free
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The Gold Coast is being hit by flashflooding after a New Year’s Day deluge delivered another blow to households affected by Christmas Day’s devastating storms. Read our rolling coverage.
EVACUATION CENTRES
Coomera Indoor Sports Centre, 35 Beattie Rd, Coomera – Available from 3pm
Nerang Bicentennial Community Centre, 833 Southport Nerang Rd, Nerang – Available from 3pm
We encourage you to first seek shelter with friends and family where possible as space is limited.
Caged domestic pets are welcome, please bring food for them, but people are the first priority for shelter.
MONDAY, 5:00PM - WILD WATER WARNINGS
A severe thundstorm warning has been issued by the Bureau of Meterology as a very dangerous thunderstorm makes its way across the Northern Gold Coast.
Residents at Mount Tamborine are being warned to shelter inside their homes with intense rainfall expected to impact the area just after 5pm. The Bureau warns there could be life threatening flash flooding.
Rainfall totals across the Gold Coast are continuing to climb. More than 210mm has been recorded at Wongawallan since 9am. Significant falls have also been recorded throughout the Gold Coast Hinterland.
MAYOR TOM TATE: ‘THIS COULD LAST DAYS’
Gold Coast City Council has advised residents to batten down the hatches as forecasting predicts brutal thunderstorms and flooding until Wednesday.
Mayor Tom Tate warned residents to stay off the roads and in their houses as the aftermath of Christmas evening and New Year’s Eve storms show no signs of slowing down.
“Flash flooding is occurring across our city and we have plenty of roads closed off,” Mr Tate said.
“If you don’t have to go out today, stay home, Energex are out there trying to restore more power to the houses but with this weather it’s really slowing them down.”
“The Bureau has indicated there’ll be more significant rain and it won’t let up till Tuesday afternoon, perhaps even going on to Wednesday. Worse yet to come? I hope not. I hope it’s at the very least it’s like this. What does that mean? Ranging from 200 to 300 millimeter water in the next 24 hours.”
“It’s heartbreaking because we Queenslanders, you blink and your city is in the thick of it. Matter of fact, the damage in on the Gold Coast is worse off than that of Cairns,” he said in reference to the northern tourism city smashed by Cyclone Jasper.
“Stay in touch with the Gold Coast disaster dashboard. If you need to ring for SES is 132 500. And of course for life in danger the usual triple zero.”
Since last week, Energex has indicated there are almost 7000 homes still without power with crews working around the city to get the power running where it is safe to do so.
This number had decreased from the 82,000 homes without power after the Christmas evening storms.
Some areas of the Gold Coast have received close to 400mm of rain in the last 24 hours with thunderstorms expected to continue throughout the next few days.
Residents have been warned to monitor the situation and prepare to move to higher ground if necessary.
“Make a decision early. Don’t wait because it can be very difficult for ambulances to get in there for other people.” Mr Tate said.
Queensland Police Service Inspector Nick Sellars has also warned residents to stay off the road, reporting many police rescues since the early hours of this Monday morning.
“From very early on this morning we have been people driving into floodwaters and we’ve had emergency services rescuing people from those cars,” Mr Sellars said.
“We’re only lucky that we haven’t had any serious injuries or fatalities at this stage, the message is simple. If it’s flooded forget it.”
Evacuations centres located at Coomera Indoor Sports Centre and Nerang Bicentennial Community Centre have been made available from 3pm on Monday afternoon for those who need a safe place to stay.
“We’ve got a list of community centres that we can get it going very quickly so we’ve got plans already to open some more but we will monitor this weather.” Mr Tate said.
Sandbag stations are also open for residents from 10am to 6pm located at 196 Old Pacific Highway in Pimpama and 42-44 Boyd Street in Billinga. Sandbags can reduce the impact of flooding if they’re placed correctly.
City Council have warned residents not to venture into waterways on their boats to avoid dangerous conditions.“We’ve got a request from the water police and marine authorities for all boaties please, to stay off the water conditions are treacherous,” Mr Sellars said. “We would hope to not have any repeats of the tragic incident that happened earlier this week.”
City council have requested that residents put their bins out the night before collection as thunderstorms have affected waste collection service routes. ”Bin collection will start at 5am and my advice is to put your bins out the night before, you don’t want to be getting up after 5am and they’ve already gone past,” Mr Tate said. With flood waters causing concerns that waste will wash into natural waterways if not collected on time, the Mayor has stressed that being prepared is of the utmost importance.
MIINISTER GRACE GRACE - WE MIGHT NEED ARMY
State Development and Infrastructure Minister Grace Grace on Monday revealed Queensland’s Disaster Coordinator Shane Chelepy was in talks with the federal government about whether the defence force was required.
“We’re talking about the Army Reserves and the army veterans coming in as well,” Ms Grace said.
“Our State Disaster Coordinator Shane Chelepy is speaking with the ADF about how they might be able to come into assist as well.
“We’re trying to get as many hands on deck as we possibly can.”
On Monday Energex released an update to its power restoration in the Gold Coast and Scenic Rim region.
“Overnight we were able to restore power to another 2700 homes, but falls of up to 300mm, fast-rising waterways, and more heavy rain coming is forcing us to reassess our approach for the next day or so.”
The post revealed there have been 110,000 lightning strikes in the latest round of storms in the southeast and has forced crews to halt their work on restoring power.
“We can’t and we won’t endanger our people,” the post said.
Ms Grace said some Jimboomba and Mount Tamborine residents remained without power with Energex crews “having to rebuild the network”.
“We’ve got every available crew on deck … but obviously weather like today and the severe weather warning is causing a bit of havoc with that,” she said.
“We know there is more to go and it’s going to take a few more days before we can get full power installed in some of those areas that have been very hard hit.”
MONDAY, 2.30PM - WILD WATER WARNINGS
Pontoons, trampolines and steel beams are among the dangerous debris flushing down Gold Coast waterways, with residents urged to stay away from swollen rivers and creeks.
Police are responding to reports a vessel has broken from its moorings along the Coomera River near Oxenford, striking a concrete pillar by the M1.
The boat is stuck in the middle of the river. It’s not believed anyone is on board.
Several other boats have washed up along the banks of the river.
Pontoons, steel beams and trampolines are among the submerged debris being dragged by floodwaters.
Glenn Norris from Southport Volunteer Marine Rescue urged the community not to try and enter the water to retrieve lost items.
“A boat or jet ski is not worth jeopardising your safety or risking your life over,” he said.
“We really want people to be mindful that the risks are real and not worth taking.”
MONDAY, 1PM – INTERSTATE VOLUNTEERS PITCH IN
Interstate volunteers are racing against the clock to protect storm-damaged homes ahead of more forecasted heavy rain.
SES and Country Fire Authority crews from Victoria were working to stop further damage to properties in Oxenford, laying sand bags and tarps.
Lisa Hunter’s home on Graywillow Boulevard was badly damaged during the Christmas Day storms.
The rainfall overnight and into Monday has only made things worse.
“We heard loud bangs last night and it was bits of the ceiling falling in as the rain was coming through the roof,” she said.
The mother of two has had large sections of roof tiles blown away and only recently had her power restored.
“There were so many other homes affected worse than us so I get why it took time for them (SES) to get here. We’re grateful they did.
“They’ve pretty much covered the roof now and tied it down — we can only hope that holds and we get a break in this.”
MONDAY, 12.30PM – PREPARE TO MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND
Gold Coast City Council has issued a Watch and Act alert urging city residents to prepare to move to higher ground.
The alert said Pimpama River, Coomera River, Nerang River, Mudgeeraba Creek, Tallebudgera Creek and Currumbin Creek were rising rapidly as dangerously heavy rainfall resulted in flash flooding across the city.
Council has advised residents to refer to their emergency plans and to take count of family members and pets who would need to leave if evacuation orders were issued.
They said to pack essential items that would last three days including phones and chargers, important documents and ID.
Do not drive through or enter floodwater.
The alert warned parts of the community could become isolated, some properties may be under threat, and power, water, internet and all phone services could stop working in some areas.
MONDAY, MIDDAY – PIMPAMA IN PERIL
Pimpama resident Kylee Koszo says flooding in her suburb is the worst she’s seen in more than a decade.
Parts of Bodacious Terrace and Deepak Drive were underwater at around 10am, with levels still rising.
“The streets around us are flooding the worst we have ever seen and we have lived here for 12 years,” Ms Koszo said.
“Behind us is Willow Vale and Hotham Creek Rd is almost under.
“We are totally shocked.”
Ms Koszo captured one Queenslander taking a stroll through flood waters on Monday morning.
Little Nerang Dam recorded 276mm in 24 hours, with 264mm falling at Hotham Creek near Pimpama and 215mm at Binna Burra.
Ms Koszo’s husband, Dan, said the flood waters along Hotham Creek Rd were “surfable”.
“It’s literally a wave, it’s surfable,” he said.
Fellow Pimpama resident Kerry Ann Watson said the storms “shook” her home and the ongoing downpour had kept her up all night.
“I haven’t been asleep because of the storms,” Ms Watson said.
“My whole house was shaking.”
MONDAY, 11.30AM – COOMERA RAPIDLY FLOODING
A river catchment in southeast Queensland has risen 6m in just a few hours due to heavy rainfall.
Coomera River at Clagiraba has been pushed well above the major flood height on Monday.
Residents in Upper Coomera have also reported flood risks on Dorretti Circuit with loose debris clogging the storm water drain catchment.
Parts of Foxwell Rd in Coomera and Days Rd in Upper Coomera have also begun flooding.
Emergency services are conducting multiple swift water rescues across the Coast and aiding a number of properties under threat from rising flood waters in Wongawallan, Mount Tamborine and Cedar Creek.
Troy Kirkoff from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said a mission to rescue a stranded truck at Pimpama around 10am had revealed nobody was inside.
Mr Kirkoff urged the community to stay at home over the next several hours with conditions becoming more dangerous.
“Don’t take the risk — find somewhere dry and get home later if that’s what it takes.”
MONDAY, 10.30AM – PIMPAMA WATER RESCUE, HUNDREDS OF SES CALLS
A swift water rescue is underway at Pimpama after a truck became trapped in rising flood waters.
Flood rescue crews from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services were called to
Old Wharf Road around 10am after the vehicle was spotted by residents.
Rescuers have just reached the truck, which is stranded about 100 metres into the flood waters.
Homes across the suburb are also at risk of flooding as the water level continues to rise.
A QFES spokeswoman said crews were making their way towards the truck to assess if anyone was inside.
It’s the second vehicle QFES have responded to in Pimpama after a car was found stranded in floodwater on Jacobs Well Rd at around 8.20am with nobody inside.
The Gold Coast has recorded more than 140 requests for SES help in the past 24 hours relating to intense rain and flashflooding.
MONDAY, 10AM – SANDBAG STATION OPEN, ROAD CLOSURES UPDATE
Gold Coast City Council have opened two sandbag stations on Monday following extensive flash flooding across the city.
Stations have been set up at 232 Old Pacific Highway, Pimpama and 42-44 Boyd Street, Bilinga and will be open from 10am to 6pm.
Residents looking to access the station at Bilinga have been urged to use the service road, next to the City of Gold Coast Tugun Depot.
Signage will be in place on site to direct motorists to the stations.
“Sandbags can reduce the impact of flooding if they’re placed correctly in appropriate locations around property,” the Council said in a post.
“They are not waterproof and will not stop the water completely.”
Meanwhile, Gold Coast City Council has reported 41 road closures across the city – 16 of which due to flooding including:
• Pacific Motorway, Ormeau
• Pacific Motorway, Pimpama
• Pacific Motorway, Tugun
• Pacific Motorway On Ramp, Ormeau
• Nerang Murwillumbah Rd, Advancetown/Natural Bridge
• Gold Coast Springbrook Rd, Mudgeeraba
• Hardys Rd, Bonogin/Mudgeeraba
• Gold Coast Springbrook Rd, Mudgeeraba
• Berrigans Rd, Mudgeeraba
• Gunsynd Dr, Mudgeeraba
• Vince Hinde Dr, Worongary
• Highfield Dr, Merrimac/Robina
• Clagiraba Rd, Clagiraba
• Somerset Dr, Mudgeeraba
• Bonogin Rd, Bonogin
• Birds Rd, Maudsland
MONDAY, 9.20AM – RISING WATERS CAUSE ROAD HAVOC IN NORTH
A bus has been swept up in flood waters on the northern Gold Coast.
Highway Patrol officers have closed Siganto Drive and are turning cars away as the waters continue to rise rapidly.
Emergency services were called to the bus incident near Helensvale Rd at about 9am.
Firefighters have called off rescue attempts with conditions too dangerous to try and recover the TransLink vehicle.
Nobody is believed to be on-board.
It comes as SES crews close Helensvale Rd, with the storm drainage system unable to cope with the deluge.
Residents are out with shovels trying to unblock the drains as their cars are swallowed by the rising water.
MONDAY, 9AM – CAMPSITES FLOODED, RESCUES
At least three campsites on the Gold Coast have been isolated by rising floodwaters.
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service crews were alerted to a number of campers stranded in floodwaters at a campsite at Nerang Murwillumbah Rd, Numimbah Valley at 5.30am.
Crews located and rescued 14 people who are now safe, a QFES spokesperson said.
Just after 7am on Monday, crews rushed to a second campsite at Nerang Murwillumbah Rd, Natural Bridge.
The spokesperson said an unidentified number of people were believed to be stranded at the site.
Crews are also responding to a third site surrounded by floodwaters at Clagiraba with a person located and rescued from floodwaters just after 7am.
Gold Coast City Council have urged campers to pack up, check water levels and move to higher ground.
EARLIER
The Gold Coast is waking up to storms, road closures and warnings of flash flooding, with a soggy start to 2024 to hamper clean-up after a freak “tornado” devastated the region last week.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for the Gold Coast with localised intense rainfall likely to lead to “dangerous, life-threatening flash flooding” on New Year’s Day.
The city is forecast to receive three to six-hourly rainfall totals of 80 and 160mm which could exceed 200mm for isolated 24-hour totals.
Gold Coast City Council has closed a number of roads already including:
• Hardys Rd, Bonogin
• Bonogin Rd, Bonogin
• Birds Rd, Maudsland
• Clagiraba Rd, Clagiraba
• Maudsland Rd, Maudsland
Somerset Dr, Gunsyd Dr, Berrigans Rd, Worongary Rd and Mudgeeraba Rd are also reportedly flooded with water levels rising.
Council has also warned flash flooding could see impacts to public transport.
“It has been another wild night and as at 4.51am the Bureau of Meteorology has warned of serious thunderstorms with risk of life-threatening flash flooding across the Gold Coast,” the warning said.
“Emergency services advise people to go inside a strong building now … stay inside until the storm has passed.
“Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area.
“Charge mobile phones and power banks in case the power goes out.
“Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous.”
It comes after the Bureau of Meteorology extended a severe heavy rainfall warning for northern NSW to the Gold Coast late on Sunday.
BOM meteorologist Shane Kennedy said localised heavy rainfall could see totals of 50mm to 100mm in parts of the southern Gold Coast, bringing a risk of river rises and flash flooding.
The potential deluge could also impact the region’s north.
“(They’re) still pretty vulnerable in a lot of these parts – particularly around Mount Tamborine – with significant recovery, so there is the potential that could be a real headache for people cleaning up there,” Mr Kennedy said.
In a life-threatening emergency call triple-0 (000). For flood help call SES on 132500.
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