Swift water crews battle Sunshine Coast flood waters

Dramatic footage of emergency crews rescuing people from car rooftops in raging flash flooding has emerged as a woman recounts her night-time water nightmare. SEE THE VIDEOS

Emergency services are out in full force across the Sunshine Coast responding to raging flash flooding, rescuing locals in need, and helping with dangerous evacuations.

Dramatic footage of rescues being carried out on inundated roads has emerged with people being plucked from car rooftops as the water swirls around their vehicles.

Swiftwater teams were called out to several emergencies including at Chevallum Rd in Palmwoods today, March 10.

Firefighters have carried out hundreds of rescues and evacuations across south east Queensland overnight, including on the Sunshine Coast where an emergency alert has been issued as more than 350mm of rain is recorded in some towns.

Most of the Sunshine Coast swift water rescues were at Palmwoods, Nambour, Eudlo, and Woombye where the heaviest rain has been recorded.

People in low-lying areas of the hinterland are taking refuge in an evacuation centre in Nambour, including Debbie Johnson and her cat Ginger.

Ms Johnson’s house is near the Nambour Showground, and was completely flooded in the early hours of Monday morning.

Debbie Johnson with Ginger the cat at the Nambour Evacuation Centre. Picture: Jarrod Tutbury

“I woke up at 2am and thought I’d watch TV and dozed off on the couch,” she said.

“Within an hour the water had shot up to waist deep and by the time we were rescued it was neck height.

“Everything is destroyed.”

Nambour locals, including Flametree Church pastor Stu White and his family (centre) and volunteers from The Shack in Nambour answered the call to fill sand bags at the Nambour Showgrounds on Monday morning to help safeguard horses moved to stables there due to the flash flooding. Photo: contributed

Ms Johnson said SES crews managed to rescue them by boat at 5.30am before the fire brigade took them to the evacuation centre.

“We went under in the 2022 floods and got rescued in the same boat,” she said.

“We lost everything in those floods too.”

While an emergency alert message has been issued for the Sunshine Coast Monday morning, police confirmed there have been no life threatening rescues yet.

In the latest drama, swiftwater crews swung into action at Woombye, near Nambour Connection Road, after a submerged car was found in the carpark.

Teams swung into action near Cobbs and Foley roads at 8.20am Monday morning.

Nambour swift water rescue. Picture: Patrick Woods.

She said crews went out to a flooded car however there was no one inside of it.

“Police will contact the owner,” she said.

A witness, Todd Willis, said there was serious flooding at Woombye.

“Extremely flooded,” he said about the submerged car.

“Hopefully he’s high and dry.

“Water level has gone down to what it was at 4am this morning. This road was completely under but the park still is.”

Swiftwater crews swung into action at Woombye, near Nambour Connection Road, after a submerged car was found in the carpark. Pictured, Todd Willis. Photo: Patrick Woods.

Station Officer Cameron Ritchie from Gympie Fire Station was on scene.

“Police located a vehicle in the park area there. We weren’t sure whether there was anyone inside of the vehicle so the swift water team deployed a swimmer out to the vehicle,” he said.

“Did a primary search of it. Cleared it. Made sure it was all safe. Returned back and are ready to go again.”

CYCLONE AFLRED: Swiftwater crews swung into action at Woombye, near Nambour Connection Road, after a submerged car was found in the carpark. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Nambour Crushers junior rugby league president Leith Hensley said it was a tough sight to see for his club.

“The bottom junior field and field two which are right next to the creek are quite prone to going under when there’s some flooding in Nambour but I’ve never heard of the top field looking like it is,” Mr Hensley said.

“It’s all the way up to the spectating terrace and the bench dugouts are under so that’s a hell of a lot of water to come up that high.”

Mr Hensley said the club had lost most of the 2025 season kit.

The Nambour Crushers rugby league field was under water on March 10 following heavy rain from ex-tropical cyclone Alfred. Picture: Contributed

“It’s a bit of a shock to wake up to, we’ll lose a lot of merchandise which is kept in the shed on our bottom oval,” Mr Hensley said.

“In the past we would move it up to higher ground or get it on the top shelves and cupboards to save it but it wouldn’t have mattered how high we got it last night it would’ve gone under.”

Sue and Glen Turner have lived on Old Gympie Rd, at Mooloolah Valley, for a few years.

CYCLONE AFLRED: Mooloolah Valley. Pictured, Sue and Glen Turner with their dog Billy. Photo: Patrick Woods.

They were out walking their dog Billy by the floodwater around lunchtime today.

“We’ve lived here for a few years and have never seen anything like this before,” Mrs Turner said.

“We’ve been stuck here for a few days now.”

On Sunday night, Sunshine Coast mayor Rosanna Natoli urged residents to remain vigilant and keep sandbags in place.

Schools across the hinterland including Nambour State College, Palmwoods State School, Burnside State School and Burnside State High School along with private schools and childcare centres were closed.

Police posted to social media at 4.30am Monday to warn of the dangers.

“Multiple roads are closed due to localised flooding in the Nambour area including Price and Florence streets, Currie Street and Coronation Ave and Bli Bli Road,” it said. “Motorists are advised to avoid the area and drive to the conditions.”

More than 130 council and Main Roads were closed across the road, while more than 20 schools were listed as being closed on the Sunshine Coast Council’s disaster hub.

Near Maleny, Baroon Pocket Dam was overflowing with waters raging after the heavy rain.

Early Monday, BOM issued a warning of a severe thunderstorm, expected to hit by 4.30am and 5am.

“A very dangerous thunderstorm likely to produce intense rainfall that may lead to life-threatening flash flooding was detected near Peachester, Landsborough, Crohamhurst, Maleny, Montville and Palmwoods on the Sunshine Coast,’’ the advice said.

Originally published as Swift water crews battle Sunshine Coast flood waters