The Gold Coast experienced “very heavy” rain overnight with more than 300mm of rain falling in Springbrook, which is currently cut off by flooding and landslides.
Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) forecaster Kimba Wong said overnight rainfall was “phenomenal” but the threat of flooding was not over as the water levels continue to rise over the next few days.
Flooding continues to rise around the Gold Coast even though the rain has stopped. (9 News)
“We have seen some very heavy rainfall around the interior of the Gold Coast and border areas, particularly during the overnight period,” Wong said.
“Obviously the rain has now eased, but the impacts of flooding will continue for the next few days.”
Flood warnings are in place for the Bremer River and Warrill Creek, while the Amberley and Ipswich regions are also on alert.
Rescues after a deluge in south-east Queensland
As water flooded the Gold Coast overnight, some drivers ignored repeated warnings from emergency services not to drive through floodwaters.
A man was seen trapped in his car after being caught in the flash flood.
One person’s car was caught in the flood waters. (9 News)
The deluge was so heavy that it even left the surface of a bridge practically crushed.
At Jacobs Well, three teenagers had to be rescued when their youngest was hit by a wave and capsized. One was taken to hospital with head injuries.
Hundreds of customers also lost power during the sudden downpour that has wreaked havoc in the state.
“It’s shocking that it came out so quickly, there was literally no water in the creek yesterday. And after the night it came up, the road was essentially closed, it’s done so much damage to the surrounding cafes and the area,” a Coomera resident. said
A road in Maudsland left wrecked by flood waters. (9 News)
Meanwhile, campers in Helensvale had just minutes to evacuate before flood levels rose overnight.
In the middle of the night the water began to rise, quickly, changing the family vacation.
As of this morning, the site was completely under water.
A packed camp in Helensvale began flooding late last night, prompting a frantic evacuation. (Today)
A witness said there was no warning today.
“We had no idea,” he said.
“I was already awake and my sister called me to get up. I got up and thought, ‘It’s probably not that bad’ and within 20 minutes, yes, the water was coming through our tent.
“We were up to our knees in a matter of minutes. It was chaos … just panic, dozens trying to get out at once.”
Tents were swallowed by muddy brown water at the Gold Coast site. (Today)
NSW remains on alert despite cancellation of severe warning
Parts of NSW recorded more than 100mm of rain overnight, while the border town of Numinbah recorded a mammoth 291mm.
NSW SES said they have carried out 14 flood rescues in the past 24 hours, up to 6am today.
Statewide there were 193 requests for help.
Although the rain will ease today, authorities warned that the risk of flooding would continue in the coming days.
“The system that brought last night’s intense storms is hanging over the Gold Coast right now. We could still see some more rain activity in the morning,” Bureau lead forecaster Dean Narramore said .
“We still expect widespread showers across coastal NSW and south-east Queensland today, and again, before finally clearing on Sunday.
“Unfortunately, another weather event is moving into eastern Australia by the middle of next week.”
Three people were rescued by a police officer after their car got stuck in floodwaters in NSW’s Hunter region. (NSW Police)
Many flood warnings are currently in place for swollen catchments across the state.
And the already devastated town of Lismore is on edge after the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) issued a moderate flood warning for the River Tweed.
If the levee breaks, the city would face its third flood of the year.
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