Queensland storm system kills man, rescues six campers
A four-day rain event dropped 439.4mm on the Blackdown Tableland, triggering flash floods and stranding visitors in the Southern Downs.
By Jacob Miller ·
An unusual weather system dropped over 400mm of rain on parts of Queensland, resulting in one death and the rescue of six stranded campers. The storm event persisted from Thursday through Monday, saturating the state's south and east and forcing emergency crews into action across multiple regions.
On Monday, Queensland police responded to reports of an unresponsive man near Boompa on the Fraser Coast. Officers located the man in Smothering Creek on Boompa Road shortly after 11 a.m. and declared him dead at the scene. Police have opened an investigation and will submit a report to the coroner.
Simultaneously, Swiftwater crews from the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service rescued six people at a public campground in Leyburn, located in the Southern Downs region. The team arrived at 7:45 a.m. after flood waters trapped the group. By 11:15 a.m., they had safely transported three men, aged 71, 47, and 26, and two women, aged 68 and 26, out of the area. Police confirmed no physical injuries were reported among the rescued campers.
Rainfall totals varied significantly across the state during the four-day period. Blackdown Tableland, situated near Rockhampton, recorded the highest total at 439.4mm by early Monday morning. Other heavy rain centers included Lower Springbrook near the Gold Coast with 325.2mm, Nambour near the Sunshine Coast with 314.2mm, and Brooweena inland of K'gari with 299.6mm.
Meteorologist Angus Hines noted that the system was driven by activity in the higher parts of the atmosphere. He described the combination of widespread rain bands, dense cloud cover, and cooler temperatures as unusual. Hines explained that a fast-moving system pushed by strong high-altitude winds crossed most states on Sunday evening before the steering wind tapered off over the Darling Downs overnight.
Flash flooding closed roads in the Lockyer Valley west of Brisbane, affecting Laidley Creek and Glenore Grove. Flood warnings currently cover the Warrill Creek and Bremer River in the Lockyer Valley, the Macintyre and Moonie rivers in the south, and the Mary River near the Sunshine Coast. Alerts also remain in force for the Warrego, Bulloo, and Barcoo rivers in Western Queensland.
The Bureau of Meteorology expects conditions to return to typical spring patterns as the week progresses. Forecasters predict that hot and humid days will transition into more subdued afternoon showers and storms.
Source: The Guardian
