Flash flooding on Sunshine Coast as region cops 325mm in hours
Authorities are warning of more rain for a flood-ravaged Sunshine Coast after stranded drivers and home owners were rescued, roads and businesses damaged and towns left without power. PHOTOS, VIDEO
Sunshine Coast
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Firefighters have carried out hundreds of rescues and evacuations across south east Queensland overnight, including on the Sunshine Coast where multiple towns have recorded about 350mm of rain.
Most of the Sunshine Coast swift water rescues were at Palmwoods, Nambour, Eudlo, and Woombye where the heaviest rain has been recorded.
While an emergency alert message has been issued for the Sunshine Coast Monday morning, police confirmed there have been no life threatening rescues yet.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli confirmed on Monday morning there were currently 300 homes on the Sunshine Coast without power and more than 100 roads closed.
Ms Natoli said all Sunshine Coast dumps, except for Nambour, were open and would be free to use until Sunday, March 16.
The emergency alert was issued 7.18am Monday, March 10 and was a flood watch and act message from the Sunshine Coast Local Disaster Management Group.
“Intense rainfall has fallen across the Sunshine Coast Council area leading to flash flooding. Do not drive unless necessary. Move to higher ground away from floodwater,” it read.
“Do not enter floodwaters.”
Despite online discourse police confirmed the Nambour evacuation centre was still accessible.
Paramedics received reports of a vehicle caught in flood water on Dunning Street at Palmwoods at 4.16am.
This incident was handled by swift water rescue – as paramedics were unable to reach the area due to flood water.
Paramedics responded to reports of two vehicles caught in flood water on Carter Street, Nambour, at 3.39am.
Both patients did not require transport to hospital.
Paramedics responded to reports of patients stuck in a house in floodwater on Perwillowen Road, Nambour at 3.19am. No patients required transport to hospital.
According to the QFD spokeswoman there were two people stuck on the roofs of their cars after driving into floodwaters and becoming trapped.
She said they were rescued by the swift water rescue team and taken to dry land.
Another two people and their dog were evacuated from their home at Mcgilchrists Rd, Eudlo, before 5am Monday morning.
Waters was entering their home. They were out by 6.14am.
At 3.45am the swift water rescue team was called to a unit on Webster Rd, Nambour where three people were evacuated since their place was flooding.
Just before 5am two people and two cats were rescued from a flooded home on Donaldston Rd, Nambour, and taken to dry land.
One stable male patient was also taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital following a single-vehicle crash on Macadamia Drive, Maleny, at 10.14pm Sunday night.
Residents have experienced torrential rain on Sunday afternoon and through the night into Monday with the local council disaster hub reporting more than 100 road closures.
Various roads were closed near Beerwah, Eudlo, and Landsborough toward Mooloolah Valley on Monday morning.
Queensland Fire Department officers were out redirecting locals and flying drones to check on closures.
According to those on scene water had gone done about a foot in the last hour.
The drones were being used to track road closures from Connection Rd, Mooloolah Valley, and report back to authorities.
Cilento Falls in Nambour was raging this morning as rain swamped the area.
Nambour resident since 2009 Alan Mullen said it was the highest he had seen the falls.
Nambour residents have shared videos of roads and cars swamped with some describing flood levels similar to that seen in 2011.
More than 344mm of rain has fallen in Nambour in the 24 hours since 9am on Sunday, Palmwoods Sports Ground recorded 352mm up until just before 7am, Eudlo 346mm, Poona Dam 248mm, Landsborough 228mm, Tewantin 117, while Beerburrum has copped 111mm.
There is a minor flood warning in place for the Maroochy and Noosa Rivers.
In Maroochydore about 8am today, March 10, water was lapping at the footpath on Bradman Ave.
Significant flooding has also been recorded across other towns including Palmwoods and the Mooloolah Valley.
On Sunday night, Sunshine Coast mayor Rosanna Natoli urged residents to remain vigilant and keep sandbags in place.
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.
“It is forecast to affect Maroochydore, Mount Mee, Wamuran, Beerburrum and Beerwah and Caboolture, Caloundra, the area southwest of Caloundra, waters off Maroochydore, the D’Aguilar Ranges and Dayboro.’’
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a separate flash flooding warning, saying six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 and 120mm are likely throughout today with 24-hourly totals up to 150mm likely.
“Heavy rainfall is forecast to ease over southeast Queensland during this afternoon.”
The advice said there were bands of showers and thunderstorms “within the sub-contour over the Southeast Coast, including Brisbane, Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast.”
“The risk of intense rainfall will ease during this morning.”
One of the region’s biggest water supplies Wappa Dam had recorded intense rainfall that may cause flash flooding.
Localities that may be affected include Bridges, Cooloolabin, Gheerulla, Highworth, Image Flat, Kiamba, Kulangoor, Kureelpa, Nambour, Ninderry, Parklands and Yandina, an advice said.
The advice comes after a driver and his passenger made a desperate escape after their car left the road next to a bridge and became submerged on the road to Wappa Dam.
Refuse tips and waste collection services were expected to open on Monday.
Disposal of your storm-damaged household general waste and green waste will be free until Sunday, March 16.
Residential bins collections are expected to resume on Monday for those areas not flood affected.
“When residential services do recommence as per their normal schedule, please understand council rubbish truck drivers can only collect the bins and will not be exiting their vehicles to collect extra items.”
Council business including customer contact centres at Caloundra, Maroochydore and Nambour, libraries and aquatic centres were expected to reopen, pending individual site impacts from poor weather overnight.
Places of Refuge at Caloundra Indoor Stadium and Nambour Showgrounds will be reviewed on Monday in line with the current severe weather warning.
Beaches remain closed on the Sunshine Coast with a coastal hazard and marine wind warning in place.
Conditions will continue to be dangerous along the coastline and in waterways for several days, the council said.
“Our community is urged to stay off coastal dunes and seawalls as shifting sands and rocks pose a serious risk of collapse and instability,’’ Ms Natoli said.
“Erosion caused by TC Alfred has weakened the dunes at numerous locations along our shoreline, including Kings Beach, Buddina and Coolum, creating steep drop-offs. These dunes may look stable, but can collapse suddenly, putting people at serious risk.”
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