Queensland has been drenched by the first summer storms of the year, leaving more than half a dozen rivers under flood warnings and wreaking havoc across Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
In Brisbane, flash flooding turned streets into rivers, with Roma Street almost unrecognizable. Suburbs like Coorparoo, Woolloongabba, and Stones Corner saw cars submerged as intense downpours hit. Rosalie recorded a staggering 70mm of rain in just an hour, while Holland Park wasn’t far behind with 33mm.
The iconic Norman Hotel had its car park submerged, and businesses like the cocktail bar Come to Daddy in West End were flooded. Owner Billerwell Daye described the shock: “It just came up fast, and it was a real shock. We’re cleaning up now, so hopefully we can open in a couple of hours.”
Some areas experienced their wettest December day in two decades. Further west, the Lockyer Valley was soaked, while the Gold Coast endured wild weather late Saturday. Emergency crews rescued five people trapped by floodwaters in Mudgeeraba as rivers surged through streets, golf courses, farmland, and backyards.
Upper Springbrook was among the hardest-hit, receiving nearly 270mm of rain. Water spilled down Tamborine Mountain, causing the Hinze Dam to overflow and swamping roads across the hinterland. One couple narrowly escaped disaster after their car was swept off the road. “My partner didn’t see the floodwaters at all, and suddenly we were just off the edge,” said the shaken driver.
Authorities are urging caution. Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Shane Kennedy warned, “Floodwaters can be very powerful. As little as 15 centimeters of water can float a car and push it off the road or a bridge.”
Flood warnings remain in place for several rivers, including the Logan, Albert, Bremer, Moonie, Warrego, Paroo, Bulloo, and Lower Barcoo. Peaks are expected this morning, though water levels are starting to recede in areas like the Nerang and Coomera rivers.
Meanwhile, the north of the state remains under a heatwave warning as Queensland faces the dual challenges of extreme heat and flooding rains.
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