The Bureau of Meteorology says Queensland should break free from wet conditions today, after being hit by heavy rain on Friday.
Key Points:
- The highest falls in the last 24 hours were in Gin Gin and the Sunshine Coast
- The system bringing the heavy rains is now moving to the coast
- The strongest winds recorded were at Moreton Island and Double Island Point
Heavy rainfall and gusty winds have battered much of the state’s coastline in recent days.
Senior forecaster Peter Markworth said the biggest falls had been in Wide Bay and the Sunshine Coast.
“The highest has been Gin Gin with 83 millimeters since 9am on Friday. The Sunshine Coast is the other region in the last 48 hours with more than 100 millimeters but since 9am more close to probably 40 millimeters,” Markworth said.
The Met Office said the strongest winds were recorded yesterday at Moreton Island and Double Island Point in the south-east, which were hit with gusts of around 100km/h, while the Gold Coast had winds of about 80 kilometers per hour.
All Gold Coast beaches and most Sunshine Coast beaches remain closed.
Markworth said the tough conditions weren’t over yet.
A severe weather warning for damaging winds for Wide and Burnett Bay and the south-east coast was canceled by BOM at 8am this morning, but a severe weather warning for dangerous surf remained in place.
On Friday, BOM senior hydrologist Jess Carey said the weather system bringing heavy rain to south-east Queensland would begin to move offshore.
“These east coast lows are pretty tricky to forecast from time to time, but we’re really looking forward to that movement to the southeast,” he said.
“What will persist for the next day or so is these very strong winds that we’ve seen in excess of 90 kilometers per hour and exposed areas along the southeast coast of Queensland.
“This 4 to 5 meter swell with waves will no doubt persist along the southeast Queensland coast and even into New South Wales as well.”
Cruise yet to dock in Brisbane
The Coral Princess cruise ship was due to dock in Brisbane at 6am yesterday, but due to bad weather the port was closed and the ship had to put out to sea near Caloundra.
Space for play or pause, M for mute, left and right arrows for search, up and down arrows for volume. Coral Princess struggles to dock while battling 6.5m waves
Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) general manager Kell Dillon said yesterday afternoon that the pilotage was suspended due to swell and wind conditions.
“As long as it is safe to carry out the piloting [on Saturday] morning, the Coral Princess is expected to be alongside by mid-afternoon on July 23,” he said.
“MSQ is working with all stakeholders to recover from the disruptions caused by the weather event.
“Questions about alternative options for the Coral Princess are best addressed to Carnival.”
Dillon said Saturday morning that conditions remained “unfavorable” for the ship to enter port.
“Conditions are being closely monitored. Safety is the highest priority for Maritime Safety Queensland,” Dillon said.
“A marine pilot is expected to board the Coral Princess in the early afternoon to help bring the vessel into port.
“Provided it is safe to pilot later today, it is hoped that the Coral Princess will be able to be alongside by the afternoon of July 23.”
A spokesperson for Princess Cruises said: “Guests on board and those due to embark… for the next cruise are being updated on the ship’s late arrival and are being assisted by the as comprehensively as possible,” the spokesman said.
A man’s body found in the stream
A man’s body was recovered yesterday morning after being swept away by waters in Nanango following Thursday night’s downpours which caused flash flooding in the South Burnett region.
Police confirmed the 47-year-old man’s body was discovered near the Sandy Creek Bridge after a vehicle was swept away in floodwaters along Brown Street about 5.30am on Friday.
Nanango’s Fitzroy Hotel manager Sharon Shaw said the news of the man’s death was devastating.
“It’s pretty sad, especially when you don’t know who it is … no death is good,” she said.
“My condolences to the family of the gentleman who died in the flood.
“Just remember, if it’s flooded forget it. Your life isn’t worth it.”
Ms Shaw said the city was expecting more rain.
“We’ve been told recently that they’re still forecasting another 50 to 100 millimeters in the next few days,” he said.
Crops damaged by water
The Western Downs region had not yesterday experienced flash flooding as far south as the South Burnett, but growers in the area were left reeling after water-damaged crops.
Doug Wunsch grows wheat and barley on his property in Jandowae, and the heavy rains had drowned the crops he had replanted a second time.
He said it was another devastating blow after he finished planting just hours before the heavy rain.
“I went back and started replanting on Tuesday afternoon and planted another 120 hectares and finished last night. [Thursday] and took note of what the forecast said was only 4 to 6 millimeters,” he said.
“It came down pretty good on the roof and then it got pretty bad with a bit of thunder and it went on all night.
“What I saw this morning, I got a good wave goodbye, I imagine.”
Doug Wunsch says his drowned crops are another devastating blow after he finished planting just hours before the heavy rain. (Supplied)