Safety warning: deluge to soak Queensland central coast
Drivers are being warned not to take risks as communities along Queensland’s central coast brace for downpours of up to 200mm and potential flash flooding.
A 200mm deluge is creeping towards Queensland’s central coast after drenching inland parts of the state.
Severe thunderstorms struck inland towns on Wednesday night bringing rainfall totals of nearly 100mm in just one hour.
Lesdale, 700km west of Brisbane, had 92mm of rain in just an hour while nearby Charleville was soaked by 68mm.
A minor flood warning has been issued for the Warrego River at Charleville after the sudden downpour.
The slow-moving trough is now tracking towards the state’s central coast between Mackay and Rockhampton.
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Mackay was already drenched by 70mm of rain in 24 hours on Wednesday.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned the trough will deepen over the next 24 hours, bringing heavier rainfall totals of over 200mm on Thursday.
Some communities between Serena and Eungella are being told to brace for falls up to 300mm.
The heavy rainfall could create dangerous driving conditions and shut access routes.
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The bureau also warned rivers and creeks could reach flood thresholds.
“Areas of flash flooding are certainly possible throughout the day, anywhere that the higher rainfall may accumulate,” meteorologist Helen Reid said.
Trees, crops and property could also be damaged.
State Disaster Co-ordinator Assistant Commissioner Shane Chelepy urged Queenslanders not to drive through floodwaters after a spate of rescues during recent wet weather.
“We have already seen a number of swift-water rescues right across southeast Queensland of people who are driving into floodwaters,” he said.
“We lose more lives during a disaster season by the reckless behaviour of driving through water than we do from the disasters.
“So please, if it’s flooded, forget it.”
Disaster resources have been deployed to the central region in case of severe weather impacts on Thursday.
The central coast deluge will be short-lived as the heavy rain is pushed offshore into the Coral Sea on Friday, with a few showers remaining along the saturated coastline.
