Cold front hits four states after wet week

The Bureau of Meteorology issued warnings for severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, and flash flooding across South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania. These alerts took effect this weekend, adding to the pressure on infrastructure and emergency services in Queensland.

Nine specific flood warnings were active for southern Queensland. Senior meteorologist David Crock stated that severe thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected at several locations in central and eastern Queensland on Saturday. The affected areas include Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg, the Sunshine Coast hinterlands, and Roma.

Crock noted that the weather conditions are more typical of the summer months of January or February rather than late October. He explained that a persistent weather pattern has drawn large amounts of moisture into the region. This system has built up totals across Queensland and northern New South Wales over a period of seven to 10 days.

Several areas in Queensland received more than double their average October rainfall over just a few days. The Sunshine Coast hinterlands and Caboolture recorded seven-day rainfall totals between 300mm and 400mm. Some specific locations in these regions reached a total of 450mm.

The heaviest precipitation occurred on Thursday. Torrential rain stretched from Caboolture south to the Border Ranges, with some places receiving well over 200mm. The downpour triggered flash flooding and generated hundreds of calls for help to the State Emergency Service. Several schools were forced to close on Friday due to the conditions.

The Queensland fire department conducted more than 16 swift-water rescues during the wet week. In one incident, crews used a raft to reach an elderly man who was clinging to the roof of his vehicle in Caboolture. A cold front is scheduled to cross New South Wales on Sunday, bringing severe thunderstorms to the west of the state, north-eastern Victoria, Sydney, and Brisbane.