Coasts cop record rain and flooding as searchers find kayaker's body

Heavy rainfall across south-east Queensland has led to a record flood scare on a Gold Coast river and major flood warnings for others as the threat of severe storms lessened across the region.

It comes as a missing kayaker was found dead on the Mary River west of Maleny after a night of record rainfall on the Sunshine Coast and police search for a woman feared swept away in the Gold Coast hinterland.

A football field covered in floodwater in Woombye on the Sunshine Coast.Credit: AAP Image/Dan Peled

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Shane Kennedy said severe storms in the region dumping 102 millimetres in just two hours at the weir had led to a rapid response from the Coomera River.

"We are seeing intense rainfall, potentially leading to life-threatening flash flooding, particularly around the northern Gold Coast area," he said.

The bureau had reported a record level of 8.3 metres at Oxenford Weir about midday, above its major flood level of six metres and highest peak of 5.8 metres, though later stated this was incorrect due to "inconsistent data being recorded at the station".

"The current level is 3.02 metres," it said in an update about 3.45pm, lifting the earlier flood warning for the Coomera and Nerang rivers.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services had told those near the Coomera River and Saltwater Creek in Oxenford, Hope Island and Helensvale to monitor the situation and "move to higher ground" if required.

The bureau said the Logan River at Beaudesert would peak above the major level of 8.3 metres Thursday afternoon, though "well below" that experienced during ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie in 2017. A moderate peak is expected on the Albert River at Beenleigh.

Minor flood levels are also predicted along the Lockyer, Laidley and Warrill creeks, as well as the Bremer River at Walloon.

A severe thunderstorm warning for heavy rain remained in place across the Logan, Scenic Rim and Gold Coast areas until 3pm, with reports of flash flooding on Mount Tamborine.

The Sunshine Coast bore the brunt of heavy falls overnight, however, with 232 millimetres recorded at the airport since 9am Thursday – its highest daily total on record.

Flooding saw residents of a Mount Coolum aged care home and unit block evacuated, with 19 swift water rescues and 320 calls for State Emergency Service help across the state.

Multiple schools across the Sunshine and Gold Coasts told their students to remain home on Thursday because of flooding or road closures.

Most south-east beaches, along with Dreamworld, Wet'N'Wild and Movie World have also been closed due to the severe weather.

Authorities warned motorists to take care across the south-east with localised and river flooding impacting many roads.

At Bribie Island, 186 millimetres of rain was received in the 24 hours to Thursday morning, while most of greater Brisbane recorded between 50 and 100 millimetres, including a 109 millimetre total at Deagon.

Large parts of the Gold Coast had also already recorded more than 100 millimetres before the Thursday downpour.

In the Tallebudgera Valley, where a number of creeks have swollen, police were searching for a woman last seen walking near Gorge Falls.

Concerns are held for 26-year-old Yang Chen, with police unsure whether she had fallen, become lost, or walked out to nearby Tallebudgera Creek or Springbrook road.

Further north, a 75-year-old kayaker last seen at the weekend was found dead after an extensive search by police, swift water and SES crews on the flooded Mary River at Conondale.

The man's body was discovered close to his car, which was found Wednesday, with authorities saying it was too early to tell whether the man drowned or suffered a medical incident.

Flooding at Chinchilla and Condamine in the Western Downs is also expected to peak above major levels from Friday and into the weekend as waters recede around Dalby.

The weather bureau expects the rain to ease heading into the weekend, as ex-Tropical Cyclone Uesi brings hazardous surf conditions to the coast and a heatwave descends on the north of the state.