Australia – Flood Rescues After Heavy Rain in Queensland

Queensland Fire and Rescue crews were called on to carry out 11 flood water rescues between 26 and 27 February after a thunderstorm brought torrential rain to the greater Brisbane area.

Fire and Emergency Services Minister in Queensland, Australia, said in a statement yesterday that people are putting their own lives and the lives of emergency crews at risk by driving through floodwaters.

Mr Crawford said severe thunderstorms impacted the South East Region of the state on 26 February, causing localised flash flooding. The storm left around 7,500 people without power.

Areas across greater Brisbane recorded over 50 mm of rain in a short period late on 26 February. Forest Hill recorded 69 mm of rain and Forestdale in Logan recorded 73 mm in just 1 hour.

According to local media people were rescued from flooded cars in Ipswich, Oxley, Durack and Clagiraba.

Mr Crawford said drivers were ignoring the warnings and “unnecessarily exposing themselves to risk” in unpredictable flash-flooding.

“Frankly, I’m getting sick and tired of seeing these reports on a daily basis, about incidents where our emergency crews are having to put their lives are risk rescuing people who have tried to drive through floodwaters,” Mr Crawford said.

“It’s disappointing – and astounds me that people continue to make poor judgement calls, and expose themselves to risk.

“It doesn’t matter what kind of car you drive, how experienced you are, or how badly you need to get across that road: if it’s flooded, forget it.”

Heavy Rain and Flash Floods in Queensland and New South Wales

Parts of Queensland and northern New South Wales have seen heavy rainfall over the last few days, causing some flash flooding.

Heavy rain between 24 and 26 February 2018 also caused flash flooding in parts of Canberra and Australian Capital Territory.

Ipswich recorded 105 mm of rain in 24 hours on 24 February, the highest recorded for a February day. Tamborine Mountain recorded 201 mm during the same period.

Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) says that they have responded to 34 calls to swiftwater incidents since Thursday 22 February,and received more than 750 calls for assistance across the state over the last 6 days. Assistance included cleaning up flood debris and erecting temporary flood defences.

Casino in New South Wales (NSW) recorded 125.8 mm in 24 hours to 27 February. Most of the rain fell in just 1 hour. NSW SES reported around 28 calls to affected homes and businesses.

The heavy rain has since moved north along the Queensland coast. Warnings for heavy rain have been issued and north eastern areas, in particular Bowen and Townsville, which is preparing for severe flooding. Flood warnings have been issued for the Ross, Haughton, Proserpine and Don rivers.

In a 24 hour period to 28 February, Nelly Bay recorded 229 mm of rain, Pallarenda 170 mm, Saunders Creek 173 mm and Stony Creek 170 mm.

Social Media

Brisbane

An Ipswich mother experienced one of many flood rescues across South East Queensland overnight, and has told how quickly it can happen. Remember, if it's flooded, forget it. Report on 7 News at 6pm. https://t.co/7rdtn2KqL2 #7News pic.twitter.com/NH24GOGDiQ

— 7 News Brisbane (@7NewsBrisbane) February 27, 2018

WATCH: Queensland emergency crews rescue a man trapped in rising flood waters. Warnings to be careful have been issued as flash floods continue across Brisbane, with five people rescued last night in just half an hour #TenNews pic.twitter.com/r7sXRkoaIj

— TEN Eyewitness News (@channeltennews) February 26, 2018

Casino, NSW

Northern #NSW town of #Casino inundated by flash #flooding: https://t.co/dm4kAkxNOe@ABCNorthCoast pic.twitter.com/meCMt86BAt

— ABC Emergency (@ABCemergency) February 27, 2018

Wow, we just had heavy rain but I know Casino had 100mls in an hour & there was lots of flooding & roof damage.

— Dr. Lynne De Weaver (@L_DeWeaver) February 26, 2018

Bowen and Townsville, Queensland

A serious weather event is expected to hit TSV later this afternoon and this evening, with heavy rainfall throughout the city

Go to Council’s Emergency Management Dashboard at https://t.co/kZHucVFj12 for up to date info.

For more info visit https://t.co/7xAo1ysS1G

— Townsville Council (@TCC_News) February 28, 2018

Featured image: File photo, illustration only, Flood rescues in Brisbane, 2015. Photo: Queensland Fire and Emergency Services – QFES

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