Torrential rain in Queensland between 16 and 17 October led to the death of a man caught in floodwater near Gympie.
Queensland Police said: “A 67-year-old man who went missing after his vehicle was swept away at Marys Creek near Gympie last night has sadly been located deceased.”
Elsewhere emergency teams were required to carry out flood rescues, including a man who was rescued by helicopter from the roof of his stranded car near Miriam Vale.
Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said that, by the afternoon of 17 October, 135mm of rain had fallen during a 6 hour period at Miriam Vale, 218mm at Bulburin Alert (near Builyan) and 105mm during at Mimdale Alert (near Lowmead).
Queensland Police said that “heavy rain is continuing across parts of the state including Bundaberg, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mackay, Proserpine, Bowen, Fraser Island, Hervey Bay, Yeppoon and Hamilton Island.”
Severe weather warnings are still in place for parts of the state. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) advised people to keep clear of creeks and storm drains and never drive, walk or ride through flood waters. QFES added: “If it’s flooded, forget it.”
The severe weather also caused problems at sea and a search and rescue operation is underway for six men after their vessel overturned near Middle Island.
