Queensland Fire Service Conducts 16 Water Rescues Before Cold Front Hits East Coast
Rainfall totals reached 450mm in parts of the state before a new system threatens severe thunderstorms across four eastern states.
By Thomas Rogers ·
The Queensland fire department logged more than 16 swift-water rescues after a week of persistent rainfall pushed totals to 450mm in some areas. The heavy weather forced emergency crews to intervene in multiple locations, including a rescue at Caboolture where a raft was used to reach an elderly man clinging to the roof of his vehicle.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued warnings for severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, and flash flooding in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania. The agency also maintained nine flood warnings for southern Queensland. Senior meteorologist David Crock noted that the current pattern resembles summer conditions more than typical October weather, citing the large amounts of moisture drawn into the region over the past ten days.
Crock stated that severe storms are expected in central and eastern Queensland on Saturday, affecting Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg, and the Sunshine Coast hinterlands. The forecast indicates that the threat of thunderstorms will extend across eastern Australia, with severe activity likely in inland areas. A cold front is scheduled to cross New South Wales on Sunday, bringing storms to the west of the state, north-eastern Victoria, Sydney, and Brisbane.
In Victoria, severe storms may impact Melbourne's eastern suburbs and central and eastern South Australia. Tasmania faces heavy rain developing overnight into Sunday morning. Crock described the situation as having plenty of rain across the south-east and much of Queensland following the wet week.
The Sunshine Coast hinterlands and Caboolture recorded seven-day rainfall totals between 300mm and 400mm. Some specific locations reached 450mm. This accumulation came after torrential rain on Thursday stretched from Caboolture south to the Border Ranges, with some places receiving over 200mm in a single downpour.
The rainfall was double the average for October in several areas. The weather caused flash flooding and hundreds of calls for help to the State Emergency Service. Several schools closed on Friday due to the conditions. The system has been building over a period of seven to 10 days across Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Source: The Guardian
