Queensland storm system dumps 439mm of rain, killing one man and stranding campers
An unusual atmospheric pattern brought four days of heavy rain to the state, forcing rescues at a Leyburn campground and closing roads in the Lockyer Valley.
By Lina Zhang ·
Rainfall totals reached 439.4mm in the Blackdown Tableland near Rockhampton by early Monday, marking the heaviest four-day accumulation recorded in the state during the current weather event. The system brought sustained rain bands and cooler temperatures to Queensland from Thursday through Monday. Emergency services reported a fatality and multiple rescues as water levels rose across the southern and eastern regions.
Police declared a man dead after locating him in Smothering Creek on Boompa Road. Responders were called to the site on the Fraser Coast shortly after 11:00 a.m. on Monday following reports of an unresponsive individual. An investigation into the death is underway, and authorities will submit a report to the coroner.
Six people were rescued from a public campground in Leyburn in the Southern Downs region. Swiftwater crews from Queensland Fire and Rescue arrived at 7:45 a.m. on Monday after floodwaters stranded the group. At 11:15 a.m., the team extracted three men aged 26, 47, and 71, along with two women aged 26 and 68. Police confirmed that no physical injuries were reported during the rescue operation.
Flash flooding closed roads at Laidley Creek and Glenore Grove in the Lockyer Valley west of Brisbane on Monday. The Bureau of Meteorology issued warnings for the Warrego River at Charleville, the Bulloo River at Quilpie, and the Barcoo River at Blackall in western Queensland. Active flood warnings also cover the Warrill Creek, Bremer River, Macintyre River, Moonie River, and the Mary River near the Sunshine Coast.
Meteorologist Angus Hines noted that the system was driven by activity in the higher parts of the atmosphere. He described the combination of widespread rain bands, heavy cloud cover, and cool temperatures as unusual. A fast-moving storm band linked southern Queensland to Bass Strait on Sunday evening before the steering wind tapered off overnight over the Darling Downs.
Other locations recorded high rainfall totals during the four-day period. Lower Springbrook near the Gold Coast accumulated 325.2mm, while Nambour near the Sunshine Coast recorded 314.2mm. Brooweena, located inland of K'gari, received 299.6mm. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts a return to typical spring patterns later in the week, with hot and humid conditions giving way to subdued afternoon showers.
Source: The Guardian
