Australia Weather News

Six campers have been rescued from floodwater in southern Queensland, as parts of the state's south-east enjoy a break from the rain ahead of more thunderstorms this afternoon.

Large hail, damaging winds and flash flooding remain possible, with some storms potentially becoming severe.

Multiple warnings are in place across the state after days of heavy rain.

A watch and act warning has been issued for Laidley and Glenore Grove in the Lockyer Valley, with flash flooding in Laidley Creek affecting roads.

Major flooding is also occurring along Warrill Creek at Harrisville, with floodwaters potentially reaching major levels at Amberley late this afternoon.

The Bureau of Meteorology says moderate flooding is possible along the Bremer River at Rosewood, with minor flooding possible at Five Mile Bridge.

The bureau estimates major flooding is occurring at Laidley Creek, while minor flooding is possible at Gatton this afternoon and Glenore Grove this evening.

Three swift-water rescue crews attended a campground on Macintyre Street at Leyburn, in the Southern Downs region, after two caravans became stranded by fast-flowing floodwater.

Authorities said the campers sheltered on higher ground while they waited for help.

All six campers were brought to safety by rescue crews.

Two people were also rescued from flooded cars in the Southern Downs early this morning.

A woman was trapped in her car in Warwick at about 3:30am. A second driver was rescued from nearby Rosenthal Heights half an hour later.

More storms forecast

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Felim Hanniffy said another round of thunderstorms could develop across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast this afternoon and early evening, with some potentially becoming severe.

"There is a risk of severe storms around the south-east, broadly possible for areas like the Sunny Coast, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and likely for areas west of Ipswich and across eastern Darling Downs," he said.

"Depending on how the first round of storms go through in the morning, that could reduce the severity risk for some areas as well."

Mr Hanniffy said there was also the chance of very dangerous thunderstorms in inland areas during the afternoon and early evening.

The bureau said severe storms were likely across the Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and South Burnett, with further heavy rain potentially triggering flash flooding in already saturated areas.

The recent wet weather has seen more than 200 millimetres of rain fall within six hours in some areas.

Southern Downs flood threat

Authorities are monitoring the flood risk in the Southern Downs town of Allora, where locals have reported 100mm of rain in the past 24 hours.

Southern Downs Regional Council Mayor Melissa Hamilton said council modelling predicted major flooding in the town, although homes were not expected to be affected.

"It's not predicted to impact any houses but we are keeping a very close eye on that," she said.

Cr Hamilton warned a number of roads would be affected and urged residents not to drive through floodwater.

Campers are also being evacuated from parts of the region.

Meanwhile, Sunwater said Coolmunda Dam, near Inglewood, was expected to begin spilling within hours, with minor flooding expected downstream.

At nearby Berat, Lyndall Bryant said her driveway was under 1 metre of water after Dalrymple Creek burst its banks.

The area recorded 97mm of rain in the 24 hours to this morning.

"We don't normally have water views, but we have many water views this morning," she said.

"It's a torrent running through the gully that's normally dry. Dams overflowing.

"I don't know that people were prepared because it had been so dry."

East of Allora, Goomburra Dairy farmer Robert Bradfield said some of his cattle had been stranded when the Dalrymple Creek rose. 

"It was quite a surprise to see it come up," he said.

But he said the water level had fallen quickly enough for him to milk his cows.

Floodwater recedes in some areas

A flood warning remains in place for the Mary River, with moderate flooding at Miva and Tiaro, minor flooding in Gympie and minor flooding possible in Maryborough.

"The outlook has been downgraded significantly," Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said.

"We'll see the peak in Maryborough later this morning, towards midday, and it is quite a bit lower than some of the predictions we got from BOM.

"I think we're over the worst of it."

Emerys Bridge at Gundiah, Mungar Road Bridge at Tiaro, Lamington Bridge at Tinana and Burrum River Bridge at Howard remain closed.

Further south, floodwater is slowly receding in Gympie, but the council warns roads and bridges may have been damaged and not all affected roads are listed on its disaster dashboard.

Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig said the Mary River had behaved differently to previous floods.

"The low-lying bridges, culverts, causeways — that's where we have seen some damage," he said.

"If you're out, take your time because there's no guarantee that council or anyone is aware of the issue with the roads.

"You might be the first person going through that area, so just make sure it's safe before you drive across."

Mr Hanniffy said the severe storm risk was driven by a stagnant humid air mass that had persisted for more than a week.

He said it was likely the storm risk would ease in parts of the south-east over the coming days, with some uncertainty over whether it would return later in the week.

"Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast should see conditions ease by Tuesday but certainly some areas in south-east Queensland, particularly inland areas like Wide Bay-Burnett, will still maintain that severe storm risk into Tuesday," he said.