Queensland Storm System Leaves One Dead and Six Campers Rescued After Record Rainfall

Blackdown Tableland, near Rockhampton, recorded 439.4 millimetres of rain in the four days leading up to early Monday. This total represents the heaviest accumulation measured across Queensland during the current weather event. The rainfall occurred as an unusual atmospheric system delivered repeated storms and heavy precipitation to parts of the state.

Torrential rain fell across Queensland from Thursday through Monday. The weather left many rivers and roads flooded in the south and east of the state. Police reported flash flooding at Laidley Creek and Glenore Grove in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane, which closed some roads. On Monday, emergency services responded to two separate incidents caused by the rising waters.

Shortly after 11:00 am on Monday, crews arrived at Smothering Creek on Boompa Road on the Fraser Coast. They found a man unresponsive in the flood waters. Queensland police declared him dead at the scene. An investigation has begun, and police will prepare a report for the coroner.

Earlier that morning, at 7:45 am, Queensland Fire and Rescue Swiftwater crews responded to a call for help in Leyburn, in the Southern Downs region. Flood waters had stranded six campers at a public campground. By 11:15 am, rescuers had brought three men, aged 71, 47, and 26, and two women, aged 68 and 26, to safety. Police reported no physical injuries among the group.

Other locations recorded substantial rainfall totals during the same period. Lower Springbrook, near the Gold Coast, measured 325.2 millimetres, while Nambour, near the Sunshine Coast, received 314.2 millimetres. Brooweena, inland of K'gari, recorded 299.6 millimetres. Meteorologist Angus Hines described the system as unusual, noting that widespread rain bands and cooler temperatures were driven by conditions in the higher parts of the atmosphere.

On Sunday evening, a fast-moving system linked thunderstorms from southern Queensland to Bass Strait. The band crossed most states before the steering wind tapered off overnight over the Darling Downs. Flood warnings remain active for Warrill Creek, the Bremer River in the Lockyer Valley, the Macintyre and Moonie rivers in the south, and the Mary River near the Sunshine Coast. Western Queensland remains on alert for the Warrego River at Charleville, the Bulloo River at Quilpie, and the Barcoo River at Blackall.

The Bureau of Meteorology expects conditions to return to more typical spring patterns as the week continues. Hot and humid days are forecast to give way to more subdued afternoon showers and storms.