Storms sweep across Queensland, killing one and rescuing six campers
A four-day deluge left rivers swollen across the state's south and east, with the highest rainfall recorded near Rockhampton.
By Vikram Harrison ·
A man died in Smothering Creek on Monday after floodwaters swept him off Boompa Road on Queensland's Fraser Coast. Police found him unresponsive shortly after 11:00 a.m. and declared him dead at the scene. They have opened an investigation and will file a report with the coroner.
In the Southern Downs region, Swiftwater crews from Queensland Fire and Rescue extracted six campers from a stranded vehicle at a public campground in Leyburn. The rescue team arrived at 7:45 a.m. and completed the operation by 11:15 a.m. without incident. The group included three men, aged 71, 47, and 26, and two women, aged 68 and 26. Police confirmed that no one sustained physical injuries.
Torrential rain fell between Thursday and Monday, closing roads in the Lockyer Valley west of Brisbane. Flash flooding affected Laidley Creek and Glenore Grove. The Bureau of Meteorology reported that Blackdown Tableland near Rockhampton recorded the state's highest four-day total at 439.4 mm by early Monday. Lower Springbrook near the Gold Coast logged 325.2 mm, while Nambour near the Sunshine Coast received 314.2 mm. Brooweena, located inland of K'gari, measured 299.6 mm.
Meteorologist Angus Hines described the weather pattern as unusual, noting that widespread rain bands and cooler temperatures were driven by activity in the upper atmosphere. On Sunday evening, a swift-moving system connected thunderstorms from southern Queensland to Bass Strait. Strong steering winds propelled the band eastward until they tapered off over the Darling Downs region overnight.
Flood warnings remain active for several major waterways. The Lockyer Valley sees alerts for Warrill Creek and the Bremer River, while the south has warnings for the Macintyre and Moonie rivers. The Mary River near the Sunshine Coast is also under warning. In western Queensland, alerts cover the Warrego River at Charleville, the Bulloo River in Quilpie, and the Barcoo River at Blackall.
The Bureau of Meteorology predicts a return to typical spring conditions as the week progresses. Hot and humid days will give way to subdued afternoon showers and storms.
