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 man has also been found dead in floodwaters at Boompa, west of Maryborough.

Police are investigating the circumstances of his death.

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.

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.

The bureau said Laidley Creek had 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.

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

Seqwater says several dams across south-east Queensland are spilling excess water, including Baroon Pocket, Cooloolabin, Cedar Pocket, Borumba and Wappa dams.

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.

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

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

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.

Major flooding is occurring along Dalrymple and Canal creeks, with floodwaters peaking at Leyburn. 

The bureau says major flooding is also possible at Pratten this evening, while moderate flooding is likely at Warwick.

Floodwater recedes in some areas

Flooding is generally easing along the Mary River after moderate flood peaks at Miva and Tiaro. The Mary River at Gympie peaked at 10.06 metres early Monday and is now falling.

The Bureau of Meteorology says the Mary River at Maryborough is now expected to peak below the minor flood level during Monday evening's high tide.

"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."