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Man clinging to tree rescued from flood as heavy rain continues in Queensland

Posted on by Bobb
Man clinging to tree rescued from flood as heavy rain continues in Queensland

Emergency services rescued a man clinging to a tree above floodwaters in Queensland’s Western Downs as more than 170 millimeters of rain fell on parts of the state overnight.

Four Rural Fire Service crews and fast water rescue crews spent almost three hours trying to reach a man in his 60s who was trying to cross a flooded road south-west of Mooney when his car was swept away overnight.

The nearby Leichhardt Highway is closed due to flooding.

More than 55 millimeters of rain has fallen in Moonee since Tuesday and a moderate flood warning has been issued for the Moonee River in Flinton.

Minor flood warnings are also in place for the Warrego River catchment and the Upper Balonna and Maranoa rivers, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

“Due to frequent showers and storms in recent days and weeks, land in some parts of the state is close to saturated and ready for the possibility of further flooding,” senior meteorologist Angus Hines said.

“This means we may see localized outbreaks or river flooding in areas where we see heavier rain today.”

Statewide rainfall totals

There were heavy falls across the state overnight, including on the Gold Coast where 167mm fell at Tugun, 154mm at Coolangatta and 149mm at Palm Beach.

“From this quick snapshot you can tell the focus was really on the southern end of the Gold Coast,” forecaster Patch Clapp said.

“There’s still a lot on the radar and we could still see some moderate declines, so we’re not quite there yet.”

Heavy rainfall has caused flash flooding in areas of the southern Gold Coast.

Heavy rainfall has caused flash flooding in areas of the southern Gold Coast. (ABC News: Alexandria Utting)

Meanwhile, the northern tropical coast saw significant falls following prolonged dry weather, with 177mm falling at South Mission Beach, 120mm at Tully and around 70mm at Innisfail.

Mr Hynes said rain would continue today, with light to moderate rainfall in most areas.

“Another wet day is expected along the northern tropical coast, with another 50-100mm possible with persistent showers in these wet tropics,” he said.

“Although the showers are gradually easing, it will take some time and this means another wet day for much of eastern Queensland.”

Mr Hynes said most of the rain would clear out today, paving the way for a pleasant weekend, with temperatures of 25 to 29 degrees Celsius forecast for the south east tomorrow.

“The sun will return and temperatures will rise on Saturday after a much cooler week,” he said.

“We’re not very used to this amount of rain.”

Floodwaters have now subsided in the southwest Queensland town of Charleville after heavy rain hit the region earlier this week.

Murwe Shire Mayor Sean Radnedge said clean-up was already underway.

“We’re not very used to this amount of rain in a short period of time, but… it will benefit us greatly,” he said.

“You can just imagine, there would be a meter of water across the whole of Charleville (without Bradley Gully).”

Grazier Guy Newell’s Augathella area has received more than 150mm of rain since Sunday, which he says will help ease bushfire concerns.

“For almost three weeks we have had very hot days with temperatures above 40 degrees,” he said.

“It doesn’t take long for a fire to start, and we… were a little worried, but this wet thing puts all that worry to rest completely now.”