Five people have died in Queensland, Australia, after being swept away by flood waters. All 5 victims were in vehicles at the time. Some areas of Queensland saw over 300 mm of rain fall in 24 hours. Brisbane saw over 180 mm of rain during that time.
Off the Scale (Again)
Torrential rain, described as “off the scale” by State Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, resulted in deadly flash floods in Australia for the second time in 2 weeks.
Four people died when flash floods hit parts of New South Wales on 20 April 2015, when over 300 mm of rain fell in 24 hours.
Yesterday in Queensland, Caboolture, north of Brisbane, was the hardest hit with 333 mm of rain falling within 24 hours, and 277 mm in just three hours.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) say that they received 2,200 call outs since the storm began.
Vehicle Flood Deaths
QFES is reminding South-east Queenslanders to be vigilant as a number of roads are still flooded.
“Do not enter via car, bicycle or foot in floodwater. Not only will you put your life at risk, you put emergency services lives at risk”.
“The message is simple: If it’s flooded, forget it.”
Five people have died in the floods in 2 separate incidents. All 5 of the victims, along with others who survived, were in vehicles that had been swept away by flood waters. According to Sky News in Australia, Queensland police said that the deaths could have been avoided.
Four of the deaths occurred in Caboolture when 2 cars were swept into raging flood waters in an attempt to cross a flooded road. All three occupants in one car drowned. Two people managed to escape the second vehicle, but the body of the driver was later found downstream 12 hours later.
A woman was rescued after she and her husband drove their car into floodwaters in Burpengary. The body of her husband was found 6 hours later.
Forecast and Rainfall
Australia Bureau of Meteorology said earlier today that the worst of the storm was over for Queensland, and the severe weather was weakening as it moved south into New South Wales.
Some areas of New South Wales have already reported high levels of rainfall and flooding in farmland in northern areas of the state. Several flood warnings have been issued for rivers in New South Wales.
According to Australia Bureau of Meteorology figures, more than 50 weather station locations in Queensland received over 200 mm of rain in 24 hours. Six locations (4 in the Caboolture area) received over 300 mm of rain during that time:
Caboolture (Bruce Hway) AL – 333 mm
Caboolture (Short St) AL – 327 mm
Caboolture (Bribie Is Rd) AL – 311 mm
Sheep Station Creek AL – 306 mm
Elimbah AL – 306 mm
Rose Creek Road AL – 303 mm
According to WMO, Brisbane Central received 182.6 mm of rain in 24 hours between 01 and 02 May 2015.
