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.

A Watch and Act warning was issued at middayfor 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 says Laidley Creek has fallen after an estimated peak above the major flood level early this afternoon. 

Moderate flooding is now estimated at Laidley, while minor flooding is possible at Gatton and Glenore Grove overnight.

Three swift-water rescue crews attended a campground on Tullamaville Road atLeyburn, 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.

The six campers, aged between 26 and 71, were rescued by about 11:15am, with no injuries reported.

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

A woman was trapped in her car in Warwick 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.

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.

Southern Downs flood threat

Authorities are monitoring the flood risk in the Southern Downs town of Allora, where locals have reported 100 millimetres of rain in the 24 hours to Monday morning.

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

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

The Bureau of Meteorology has also issued a major flood warning for the Upper Condamine River and a moderate flood warning for Macintyre Brook.

Goondiwindi Regional Council Mayor Lawrence Springborg has confirmed Coolmunda Dam, near Inglewood, has begun spilling.

He said minor flooding is expected downstream.

Sunwater executive general manager Colin Bendell said the dam had risen from 50 per cent capacity a couple of days ago to 90 per cent and was continuing to rise rapidly.

"With the catchment being wet and the dam being full, those outflows from the dam will continue for quite a while," he said.

Cr Springborg said he did not expect downstream townships to be affected by flooding at this stage.

The region has been drought-declared since July, and Cr Springborg said the rain was welcome, despite arriving just as harvest was getting underway.

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 Monday morning.

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

"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. 

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.

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

Maryborough boatie Stuart Ball spent an anxious night using his tender to clear debris from around his boat and others moored on the Mary River.

"There seem to be more branches, heavy branches, and that's what gave me the problem. The issue with being unable to start the engine to then get away, that I was really just a sitting duck," he said.

Mr Ball said it was a "surreal relief" to hear the Mary River was not expected to peak as high as initially forecast.

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. 

Kidd Bridge in Gympie reopened to general traffic at 10:15am on Monday.

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.

"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.

"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.