Gympie weather warning: More riverine and flash flooding expected

Summer floods are high on the cards after an almost record amount of rain across the region in November and December, leaving a saturated ground ripe for run-off.

Gympie residents are being warned to expect riverine and flash flooding across summer with more rain expected on the back of the region’s wettest November since 1947.

Gympie has been warned to expect riverine and flash flooding across the coming summer with more rain expected on the back of the region’s wettest November in almost 80 years.

Bureau of Meteorology records have revealed the 257.2mm of rain across Gympie in November was the second highest for the month on record, only 28mm shy of the record 285.6mm in 1947.

It has accounted for more than half of the total 461.4mm that has fallen in the region since November 1, sparking flash flooding and a minor to moderate flood of the Mary River.

The above average rain has continued into December with 204.2mm already recorded, well above the December average of 135.7mm.

The Mary River from Kidd Bridge on Tuesday morning, December 17, 2024. Gympie residents are being warned to expect riverine and flash flooding across summer with more rain expected on the back of the wettest November in almost 80 years.

The downpour has been part of wild weather that has rolled across the Wide Bay Burnett region for almost a week, causing minor to moderate flooding in the Mary River, flash flooding across the Fraser Coast and South Burnett, and countless local roads to be cut and damaged.

The region has been warned to be prepared for more of the same after Christmas.

A BOM spokesman said on Tuesday conditions were likely to be drier than average until the end of 2024.

There was then a 60-70 per cent chance of above average rainfall across the Wide Bay Burnett in January and February with “1.5 times the normal chance of unusually high rainfall” in the last summer month.

A flooded Yabba Creek Road in December 2024. Bureau of Meteorology records have revealed 257.2mm of rain fell across the region in November, and 461.4mm by Tuesday, December 16. Picture: Valda Nicoll, Facebook.

In the same vein as the months leading up to the near-record flood of 2022, rain so far at the end of 2024 was “above average”.

The breadth of heavy rain in surrounding regions – which contributed to the 2022 disaster – was “much smaller in November 2024”, the Bureau said.

It did not mean there was no risk, given how much moisture was now in the ground.

“Soil moisture and run-off are forecast to be above average during December and January, and close to average in February across most of Wide Bay Burnett,” the spokesman said.

“High soil moisture and run-off can increase the chance of flooding.

“Residents should be prepared for riverine and flash flooding during the coming months.

“Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall can rapidly increase the chances of flooding.

“Therefore, it is difficult to forecast repeat flooding conditions, however with wetter than average conditions likely in the coming months, we encourage residents to stay up to date with rainfall forecasts and flood warnings.”

Originally published as Gympie weather warning: More riverine and flash flooding expected