Gold Coast City Council issues severe weather warning as heavy rain batters Queensland
The Gold Coast has woken up to yet another day of rain as beaches remain closed and roads begin flooding.
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The Gold Coast has woken up to yet another day of rain as beaches remain closed and roads begin flooding.
The Gold Coast was still on flood watch on Thursday morning as a trough continued drifting southward.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued an update of the flood watch warning on Wednesday afternoon and said the locally heavy rainfall was to ease on Thursday.
Despite a prior hazardous surf and wind warning being revoked, Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) said all beaches would remain closed on Thursday.
“Lifeguards will monitor conditions closely and if conditions improve will consider opening some beaches this afternoon,” the GCCC statement said.
Four roads have been closed by council due to flooding on Thursday morning: Old Coach Rd in Reedy Creek, Hardys Rd in Bonogin, Piggotts Rd and Billiau Rd in Guanaba.
A Bureau of Meteorology alert stated flash flooding was likely as localised river and creek levels rose.
“Flooding may result in disruption to transport routes and isolation of some communities.”
WEDNESDAY: A severe weather warning has been issued as the Gold Coast continues to be battered by heavy rain.
The Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) sent out a severe weather warning on Wednesday morning, alerting residents to expect up to 80mm of rain.
The Bureau of Meteorology predicted there was a chance of a thunderstorm on Wednesday morning.
The GCCC alert stated there was a possibility of flash flooding and urged residents to stay cautious on the roads.
The Bureau of Meteorology placed the Gold Coast on flood watch and initiated a hazardous surf warning and a marine wind warning.
At 7am, the GCCC announced all beaches would be closed on Wednesday.
“Due to hazardous surf conditions all Gold Coast beaches will be closed to swimming,” the statement said.
“Lifeguards will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
The Bureau of Meteorology said conditions were expected to clear on Wednesday afternoon and remain clear into the weekend.
However, the GCCC warning stated wind gusts along the coastline may reach gale force on Wednesday.
“Monitor conditions in the warning area in and around your home,” the warning stated.
“Do not drive through floodwater.”
Sandbagging stations will be open at 196 Old Pacific Highway in Pimpama and 42-44 Boyd Street in Bilinga until 12pm on Wednesday.
TUESDAY: Sandbagging stations have been opened as Gold Coast residents are warned to prepare for another two days of heavy rain.
On Tuesday morning, Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) opened two sandbagging stations in Pimpama and Bilinga to help residents prepare for more heavy rain over the next two days.
The GCCC issued an updated severe weather warning at 9.30am on Tuesday, alerting residents there was a chance of “strong gusty winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding”.
The Gold Coast was expected to receive up to 25mm of rain on Tuesday and up to 70mm of rain on Wednesday.
“Heavy localised rain is possible, particularly around the hinterland area,” the warning stated.
The Bureau of Meteorology placed the Gold Coast on flood watch as well as initiating a hazardous surf warning and a marine wind warning.
The two sandbagging stations will be open from 6am to 6pm on Tuesday and 6am to 12pm on Wednesday.
You can find them at:
– 196 Old Pacific Highway, Pimpama (next to City of Gold Coast Coomera Depot)
– 42-44 Boyd Street, Bilinga (use the service road, next to the City of Gold Coast Tugun Depot.
The GCCC warning said there was a possibility of flash flooding, road closures, dangerous driving, dangerous conditions in waterways and beaches.
Surf Life Saving Queensland have advised people to stay out of the ocean and avoid walking near the surf.
“Rock fishers should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean and seek a safe location that is sheltered from the surf,” the advice stated.
“Boaters planning to cross shallow water and ocean bars should consider changing or delaying their trip”.
The hazardous surf warning and the marine wind warning were active until midnight on Wednesday.
MONDAY: The Gold Coast has been placed on flood watch as the city prepares to be battered by a possible severe thunderstorm.
On Sunday, the Bureau of Meteorology issued a flood watch warning to southeast Queensland coastal catchments.
The warning showed an upper trough system which was moving across the state, generating widespread showers and isolated thunderstorms.
On Monday morning, Gold Coast City Council said the city had received over 40mm of rain overnight.
The severe weather warning outlined there would be up to 45mm of rain on Monday, 40mm on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“On Monday there is a chance of a thunderstorm, possibly severe, with potential for heavy rainfall,” the alert stated.
“People should stay informed as conditions could change rapidly.”
Residents were also warned to prepare for flash flooding, road closures, heavy rain and dangerous conditions on waterways and beachs.
“Monitor conditions in the warning area in and around your home,” the advice stated.
“Do not drive through or enter floodwaters.”
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a strong wind warning for Gold Coast waters until midnight on Tuesday.
Acting Superintendent Scott Knowles from Gold Coast police urged motorists to “please slow down”, warning wet weather after a lengthy dry spell could make some roads hazardous.
“We are asking everyone that’s out there in your vehicles, just slow down,” he said.
“It’s going to get heavier over the next couple of days, just please slow down, especially because we haven’t experienced rainfall for a little while so the roads are going to be slippery as a result.”
Acting Supt Knowles said motorists should be wary of areas known to be susceptible to flash flooding.
“What we are expecting is something up to 190mm over the next two days, with rainfall then to continue through into the weekend, but not at that high rate,” he said.
“In terms of flooding, we’re not overly worried at this point in time. Because we’ve had quite a dry period leading up to this point most of our catchment and waterway areas are dry, and most of the land is dry. So we’re expecting it to mostly be absorbed.
“However those areas that are susceptible to flash flooding, just be aware as you are around these areas that it is a possibility given the large volume of rainfall that is being forecast.”
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