A 200mm deluge is creeping towards Queensland’s central coast after drenching parts of the inland state.
Heavy thunderstorms hit inland cities on Wednesday night, dumping a total of almost 100mm of rain in just one hour.
Lesdale, 700km west of Brisbane, had 92mm of rain in just an hour, while nearby Charleville was wet with 68mm.
Following the sudden downpour, a minor flood warning has been issued for the Warrego River at Charleville.
The slow-moving trough is now moving towards the state’s central coast, between Mackay and Rockhampton.
Mackay was already drenched with 70mm of rain in 24 hours on Wednesday.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned that the trough will deepen over the next 24 hours, bringing a total of more than 200mm of rainfall on Thursday.
Some communities between Serena and Eungella are being told to brace for falls of up to 300mm.
The heavy rainfall could cause dangerous driving conditions and close access roads.
A 200mm deluge is creeping towards Queensland’s central coast after drenching parts of the inland state
The agency also warned that rivers and creeks could reach flood thresholds.
“Areas of flash flooding are certainly possible throughout the day wherever higher rainfall may accumulate,” meteorologist Helen Reid said.
Trees, crops and property can also be damaged.
State disaster coordinator Assistant Commissioner Shane Chelepy urged Queenslanders not to drive through floodwaters after a flurry of rescues during recent wet weather.
“We have already seen a number of rapid rescues of people caught in floodwaters in south-east Queensland,” he said.
A low pressure system could form, increasing the risk of flooding to coastal towns in Queensland
‘During a disaster season we lose more lives due to the reckless behavior of driving through water than during the disasters.
“So please, if it’s flooded, forget about it.”
In case of severe weather conditions on Thursday, disaster resources have been deployed in the central region.
The central coast deluge will be short-lived as heavy rain is pushed offshore into the Coral Sea on Friday, while a few showers remain along the saturated coastline.