Alert for ‘rain bomb’ fallout in southeast Queensland

The ‘rain bomb’ that has drenched southeast Queensland during the past two days is expected to dissipate across the next 24 hours.

Boats and private wharves on the Gold Coast are swamped by rising floodwater. Picture: Scott Powick

The “rain bomb” that has drenched southeast Queensland during the past two days is expected to dissipate across the next 24 hours, but not before severe storms develop overnight.

The City of Gold Coast issued a watch and act emergency alert on Tuesday afternoon for residents in the low-lying areas surrounding Pimpama, Ormeau and Jacobs Well. Continued heavy rainfall created a moderate flood risk for low-lying properties near rivers and creeks.

A major flood warning was also in place for the Logan River at Beaudesert, west of the Gold Coast. The still rising water has already surpassed the major flood level by 2m but is not expected to reach the flood peak caused by Tropical Cyclone Debbie in 2017. Flooding was also reported at Boonah and Rathdowney.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster James Thompson said any rainfall overnight would be significant due to the flooding that had already occurred.

“A severe weather warning is current for heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding across southeast Queensland due to this rain band,” Mr Thompson said.

“There is a risk of further flash flooding, particularly in areas of steep terrain that have been affected by recent heavy rainfall.

“The rainband is expected to continue until Wednesday where it will clear off the coast and be replaced by drier and more settled conditions.”

Severe storms began to develop over parts of the Central West, Maranoa and Warrego and Darling Downs and Granite Belt on Tuesday evening, with the risk of heavy rain and strong winds that were expected to push east.

Ten flood alerts were in place for river systems across the state’s south, including a major warning for the Bremer River, Warrill Creek and Laidley Creek, including the Lockyer Creek, following sustained rainfall in these areas.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the extreme weather event or “rain bomb” had closed 12 state schools and six independent schools on Tuesday. The SES responded to more than 500 requests since 5am on Monday.