Woman’s body found after car swept away in Queensland floodwaters

The deluge of rain that lashed Queensland has turned deadly after a woman’s body was found in a car submerged in floodwaters.

A woman’s body has been found in a car that was swept away in floodwaters just north of MacKay after wild weather and torrential rain hammered Queensland's coastal regions.

The deluge triggered road closures after dumping 200mm in just six hours and experts fear there is more wet weather to come.

Emergency services were called to Mount Ossa, north of Mackay, overnight after reports a vehicle had been swept away near Seaforth Rd and Surprise Creek Rd.

Queensland is not the sunshine state today. A broad cloud band full of tropical moisture is bringing rain and thunderstorms for #QLDweather. Warnings are current for heavy rainfall and flooding. Keep up to date with warnings at https://t.co/[e-mail]/89L9yH4rgw

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) May 10, 2022

Two people managed to free themselves from the vehicle and were taken to hospital, but their car was swept further into the floodwaters with one woman inside, prompting a huge rescue mission.

Rescue crews found the vehicle several hours later, near Seaforth. The woman’s body was located inside.

The circumstances surrounding the deadly incident remain unclear.

There are several weather warnings in place across Queensland, including a marine wind warning along the coast.

Almost a dozen flood warnings are also in place, including a flood watch for western and central Queensland and the central and north tropical Queensland coast.

Earlier in the week forecasters warned that the rain bomb could turn deadly.

Experts say there could be more rain on the way. Picture: Sky

Sky News meteorologist Rob Sharpe said the predicted torrential rain could be “life threatening”.

“Some of the worst flooding is going to be in the outback parts of Queensland, but even closer to the coastline we could see some torrential rain at times with life-threatening flash flooding with this event,” he said.

“For Queensland as a whole, I’m thinking it will probably be one of the wettest Mays on record, probably in the top three.”

On Wednesday he said he feared for Rockhampton because it was prone to experiencing big floods.

A woman has died after he car was swept away in floodwaters. Picture Lachie Millard

“We’re anticipating widespread moderate riverine flooding, and I think that’s going to include Rockhampton,” he said.

“It’s only a small chance this stage to reach major flood levels – it’s not quite as big an event as what we had back in 2017, but you can’t rule it out with this type of weather system.”

Between 50 and 90mm of rain could be dumped on Cairns, with up to 200mm forecast to soak Townsville.

Thunderstorms are forecast for some inland areas.

Police will address the media later on Wednesday with more information.