Queensland Faces Continued Flooding and Recovery Challenges as More Rain is Expected

As Queensland’s south-east region continues to battle the psychological toll of relentless storms, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned of more heavy rain to come. The recent deluge has left roads cut off, over 20 schools closed, and a town flooded, with swiftwater crews rescuing 13 people as floodwaters rose across the Moreton Bay, Somerset, Lockyer Valley, and Darling Downs regions.

Samford Valley was particularly hard hit, receiving 300mm of rainfall in just three hours, while Upper Caboolture saw 126mm in two hours. The Moreton Bay region was also severely affected, with eight rescues conducted overnight and the SES receiving 28 calls for help. Queensland Premier Steven Miles warned residents of the region to take extra care, emphasizing that flooded roads should be avoided at all costs.

Meanwhile, the town of Laidley, west of Brisbane, has been inundated with floodwaters after the creek broke its banks. An evacuation center has been set up at the Laidley State High School for those seeking shelter. Flood warnings are currently in place for large parts of central Queensland as well as the south-east, while flood watches have been issued for western, central, and eastern regions of the state, as well as northeast New South Wales.

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen acknowledged that the residents are still dealing with the trauma of previous wild weather events, including the devastating floods over the Christmas period. He expressed concern about the strain on resources, citing landslips and fallen trees that have hindered clean-up efforts. Nine roads have been closed due to flooding, making it difficult for recovery crews to access affected areas.

As more rain is predicted for the day, Christensen’s main worry is exhaustion. “We’re all trying to find a way to recover,” he said. The Bureau of Meteorology warned that forecast rainfall could lead to flash or riverine flooding in the next 48 hours, potentially causing property damage and agricultural losses.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily is also contributing to the wet weather, affecting Queensland’s north-west and causing concerns about back-to-back summer storms. The area south of Cloncurry has been particularly hard hit, with Seymour Gap receiving 256mm of rainfall in 24 hours. Meanwhile, west of Winton, the Middleton community has recorded about 450mm since the weekend, with some properties expected to be isolated for six to eight weeks due to floodwaters.

Winton Mayor Gavin Baskett reported that the Boulia road through to Alice Springs has three meters of water over the crossings, making it difficult for graziers to access their properties. The Queensland Government has activated the local disaster management group to provide support to affected communities.