Flood warnings remain in place in south-east Queensland as weather system moves north

Residents in the town of Laidley in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane, are among the worst hit by major flooding, as towns throughout the state’s south-east like Gatton, Grantham, Gympie, Ipswich and Warwick have been once again pummeled with rain.

Multiple warnings remain in place this morning for Cressbrook Creek, the Scenic Rim and Gympie.

The dam at Cressbrook Creek in the Somerset region is one-and-a-half metres above the spillway and there may be an increase in the levels in the coming hours.

Residents in the region are warned they may need to evacuate in the coming hours.

Laidley River is expected to reach the major flood levels this morning.

Rainfall is expected to ease today in flood-affected areas however floodwaters continue to rise.

Some towns in the state’s south-east received almost 300 millimetres of rain in the past 24 hours.

The weather event is now moving north with the Sunshine Coast next in the firing line.

The Bureau of Meteorology said communities in the Sunshine Coast hinterland should be prepared for intense rainfall.

The state’s premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said yesterday the intense rainfall the state is currently experiencing is not as heavy as the previous flooding event in February, which caused multiple deaths and the destruction of homes.

“This rainfall is actually more sporadic, and not as heavy,” Palaszczuk said.

“But we are still seeing some cases of flooding, and the river rising in particular areas.

“We are asking people where possible, if you don’t need to be out on the roads, please don’t travel unless you absolutely must.”

Residents are urged to follow the advice and emergency alerts of their local councils and keep up to date with BoM updates.