Australia – Floods in South East Queensland After Storm Dumps 178mm of Rain in 24 Hours

A fierce storm and torrential rain brought flash floods to parts of south-east Queensland on Sunday 19 June, 2016.

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said that 178 mm of rain fell in Toowong (a Brisbane suburb) and 112 mm in Brisbane city during a 24 hour period between 19 and 20 June.

The storms damaged power lines and cut electricity to more than 9,000 customers across south-east Queensland. Strong winds tore roofs from several properties and uprooted trees. Damage was reported to cars and homes as a result of strong winds, falling debris and flash floods. Mooloolaba, a suburb of Sunshine Coast, was one of the areas worst hit.

The State Emergency Service (SES) said it received around 300 calls for help, mostly for flooding. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said they carried out 27 water rescue operations, including 3 people who had to take refuge on the roof of their vehicle after it was swept away in flood water.

For Queensland at least, the worst of the storm seems to have passed and is now heading south, into New South Wales. BoM said that “moderate to heavy rainfall has now shifted offshore and into NSW. No further significant rainfall is expected across the watch area.

“River and creek rises are still occurring in the watch area with flood warnings in place for the Stanley River and Warrill Creek catchments. “

Rainfall

Figures below according to BoM, for a 24 hour period between 09:00 on 19 June to 09:00 20 June, 2016.

Noosa: 40mm
Maroochydore: 90mm
Caboolture: 131mm
Brisbane city: 112mm
Toowong: 178mm
Archerfield: 141mm
Coolangatta: 62mm

Social Media

Sombre mood at Akeringa Place #mooloolaba after last night's storm @abcsunshine @ABCNewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/iOCrXTkCDU

— Kylie Bartholomew (@kyliebubbles1) June 19, 2016

The clean up begins after last night's devastating storm #Mooloolaba #SunshineCoast @abcsunshine @ABCNewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/BhBQ8GFH0s

— Kylie Bartholomew (@kyliebubbles1) June 20, 2016