Australia Weather News

Hundreds of people in Queensland's Bundaberg region have begun cleaning up their homes and businesses as floodwaters recede, while residents in western Queensland prepare for flooding.

The Thomson River, which runs near Longreach, is expected to reach a major flood level over the weekend following significant rainfall in the upper catchment.

Longreach Regional Council mayor Tony Rayer said he expected the Thomson River to reach 6.7 metres, which could affect some homes.

"We are talking about a relatively small number of houses that could be impacted on the northern end of Eagle Street and also on the southern side of town," Cr Rayner said.

"It's a major flood that we do get every 20 years or so, and it looks like this week will be the one."

"We will get a major flood, similar to 1974 and 2000."

SES Longreach Region Local Controller Diesel Stenholm said parts of the town could see inundation, but the modelling was constantly changing.

"We're just not really sure what to expect. There's quite a bit of water coming down the river system," he said.

Mr Stenholm said about 30 residents in town had collected sandbags so far.

"The best prevention is to prepare for the worst case, and if that doesn't happen, that's great.

"At this stage, it's really hard to know."

Search amid Bundaberg recovery

A search is underway this morning for a missing man in Burnett Heads, south of Bundaberg, as the region begins the recovery from flooding.

Police and emergency services were called to the Burnett River near Adams Street at 1am today following reports that a man had gone into the water from a houseboat and had not been seen since.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact police.

It comes as residents take stock of the flood damage after the Burnett River peaked at 7.4 metres on Wednesday.

Bundaberg North resident Victoria Pomfrett said she expected a significant clean-up, after water rose through her uninsured home.

"We burst into tears yesterday, but now I'm strong," she said.

"The beauty of it is, this street, we all stick together."

It's the third time in three decades that Ms Pomfrett's home has flooded.

She said that although this event was not as destructive as the 2013 floods, the community would need to pull together to help each other recover.

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," she said.

"I've been through three. I can do it again."

Extra emergency services will remain

Queensland's Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Dan Purdie, said about 240 homes and 120 businesses in the Bundaberg area had been inundated.

"The focus now in Bundaberg is on recovery, while we are preparing and protecting communities further west as floodwaters move further through those areas," he said.

Mr Purdie said more than 100 additional emergency service personnel would remain in the area during the clean-up.

Two community recovery centres have been set up at the city's TAFE and neighbourhood centre to assist residents.

"Our emergency services will remain as long as you need them," Mr Purdie said.

The state and federal governments have activated grants and financial assistance for flood-affected parts of Bundaberg, as well as the Douglas and Banana shires.

Individuals can apply for grants of up to $180, and families can access up to $900.

Bundaberg local John Stokes estimated the clean-up at his flooded business would cost up to $30,000 in lost work.

"We have only been in business here for a few years on our own," he said.

It's an expense that he and his wife will have to bear because they do not have flood insurance.

"I always knew in the back of my mind, flooding could happen again," he said.

"I was hoping maybe a few more years down the track when we're a lot more established, but it is what it is, and we've just got to get on with it."

In Chinchilla, about 300 kilometres north west of Brisbane, 41 homes were impacted by floodwater.

Drivers urged to keep off flooded roads

Queensland Police have been working with the Chinese consulate after two Chinese tourists died in floodwater at Kilkivan, in the Gympie region.

The 26-year-old man and 23-year-old woman went missing while driving from Brisbane to the North Burnett region earlier this week.

Police recovered their bodies on Thursday morning from a car that had washed off the road at Kilkivan.

Queensland's Disaster Recovery Minister Ann Leahy said their tragic deaths highlighted the danger of driving in flooded conditions.

"If it is flooded, please forget it. It is not worth your life, and also the pressure it puts on our emergency services at the frontline to come and do those rescues," she said.

"Please stay out of floodwaters."