Queensland Flooding: Man Dead, Campers Saved After Record Rainfall
A body was found in Smothering Creek while six hikers were rescued from a flooded campsite in Leyburn following four days of storm systems.
By Marcus Reed ·
Queensland police confirmed a man died in Smothering Creek on Boompa Road on the Fraser Coast. Emergency services received the call just after 11 a.m. on Monday. The man was found unresponsive in the floodwaters. Police have begun an investigation and will send a report to the coroner.
In the Southern Downs region, six campers were stranded at a public campground in Leyburn. Rising floodwaters trapped them at the site. Queensland Fire and Rescue Swiftwater crews arrived at 7:45 a.m. on Monday. By 11:15 a.m., the team had brought three men and two women to safety. The men were aged 71, 47, and 26. The women were aged 68 and 26. Police stated that none of the hikers suffered physical injuries.
Heavy rain fell across the state from Thursday through Monday. Rivers and roads in the southern and eastern regions became flooded. On Monday, flash floods closed roads near Laidley Creek and Glenore Grove in the Lockyer Valley, which lies west of Brisbane. Authorities issued warnings for continued rain and flooding in these areas.
Blackdown Tableland near Rockhampton recorded the highest total rainfall. The area received 439.4 millimeters of rain during the four-day period. Lower Springbrook near the Gold Coast measured 325.2 millimeters. Nambour near the Sunshine Coast recorded 314.2 millimeters. Brooweena, located inland of K'gari, received 299.6 millimeters.
Meteorologist Angus Hines described the weather pattern as unusual. He noted that widespread rain bands and cooler temperatures were driven by activity in the upper atmosphere. On Sunday evening, a fast-moving storm band linked southern Queensland to Bass Strait. Strong high-altitude winds pushed the system toward the east coast. Hines said the steering winds weakened overnight over the Darling Downs.
Active flood warnings exist for several waterways. In the Lockyer Valley, warnings cover Warrill Creek and the Bremer River. The Macintyre and Moonie rivers in the south are also under alert. The Mary River near the Sunshine Coast remains flagged. Western Queensland has warnings for the Warrego River at Charleville, the Bulloo River at Quilpie, and the Barcoo River at Blackall.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecast a return to typical spring weather as the week progresses. Hot and humid days are expected to shift toward lighter afternoon showers and storms.
Source: The Guardian
