Extreme weather: Dangerous flash flooding in North QLD as heatwave grips southern states

Major flooding has forced hundreds to flee their homes, including one creature whose presence at a local beach caused quite a stir.

People visiting a Whitsundays beach on Monday were horrified when they spotted a crocodile lurking in the waters.

Dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding continues over the central coast and Whitsundays on Tuesday, with some regions set to reach 1000mm of rainfall as the state’s flooding crisis deepens.

Between 200 and 250mm of rain is likely to fall in some areas, particularly on the coast and ranges north of Mackay to Nebo.

A crocodile at Wilson Beach near the mouth of the Proserpine River. Picture: Ben White

Terrifying video shows a crocodile floating in water near Wilson Beach after it was presumably flushed down the Proserpine River with rising floodwaters.

A queue of traffic banked up on the Bruce Highway. Picture: Facebook

Drivers were stranded on the Bruce Highway as floodwaters rose at Goorganga Plains. Picture: Queensland Police

Meanwhile, hundreds of residents fleeing surging floodwaters became trapped in their cars on Monday, as the water level overwhelmed parts of the Bruce Highway.

At least 20 motorists were stranded for hours after a road closed sign was moved near Goorganga Plains, while at least 100 more spent the night sleeping on the floor of Bowen PCYC.

Rainfall expected in 48 hours over northern Queensland, with 300mm forecast in the dark blue region. Picture: Weatherzone

Police have told drivers to prepare to be stuck in their cars until Thursday, with food drops scheduled for the coming days.

Local supermarkets are falling short of fresh produce, as major transport routes are blocked by floodwaters.

Proserpine recorded its wettest 48 hours in 32 years over the weekend after 483mm of rainfall.

A mudslide was captured rushing down the Eungella Range at Pioneer Valley in a dramatic video shared to social media on Monday.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued several warnings as heavy rainfall continues to drench the region.

The Eungella Range in Mackay was closed as mudslides rushed across the road. Picture: Facebook

“The main thing to watch is that it’s a dynamic situation, an escalating and deteriorating situation,” Senior meteorologist Felim Hanniffy told Sky News.

“Obviously, when you get sustained multiple days of heavy to local intense rainfall, this is also going to bring the risk of life-threatening flash flooding as well.”

Fruit, vegetables and bread all in short supply in North Queensland with the Bruce Highway cut in multiple locations. This Mackay grocery store is hoping for a double order tomorrow. 🤞🏻 Up to 500mm of rain forecast over the next 24 hours. @[e-mail]/brp2FhgljY

— Bianca Stone (@Bianca_Stone) January 16, 2023

An 18-year-old flood record was broken on Hamilton Island where 234mm of rain fell in just 24 hours.

A severe weather warning is in place, with flood warnings impacting Mackay, Proserpine, Bowen, Collinsville, Hamilton Island, Sarina, Nebo, Eungella and Airlie Beach.

More than 600mm of rain fell in multiple places over the last five days in Queensland, with up to 700mm in reported in Mount Jukes and Upper Finch Hatton.

Flood watch and warnings

The bureau has issued several flood watches and warnings for the following areas:

• Flood watch: Lower Herbert and Central Coast catchments
• Major flood warning: Georgina River and Eyre Creek
• Major flood warning: Pioneer River
• Moderate flood warning: Don River
• Moderate flood warning: Haughton River Catchment
• Moderate flood warning: Cape River
• Minor flood warning: Suttor and lower Burdekin Rivers
• Moderate flood warning: Flinders River
• Minor flood warning: Connors-Isaac River Catchments
• Minor flood warning: Herbert River
• Minor flood warning: Norman and Gilbert rivers
• Minor flood warning: for the Thomson and Barcoo Rivers and Cooper Creek
• Flood warning: Diamantina River
• Final flood warning: Ross and Bohle rivers

Heatwave in southeast states

Temperatures are climbing in the southeast of the country just in time for two major sporting events.

Heatwave levels are expected to reach low intensity through most of the southern inland, with temperatures soaring to 38C in Adelaide and 36C in Melbourne on Tuesday.

The sweltering weather comes just in time for the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne and the Tour Down Under cycling event in Adelaide.

The maximum temperature will be between 6C and 12C above average for a “broad stretch” of southern Australia on Tuesday, according to the bureau.