Heavy rain has battered the Sunshine Coast, with flash flooding, road closures and dozens of phone calls for SES assistance.
Council and emergency services on Thursday urged motorists to avoid unnecessary travel and flooded roads.
Sunshine Coast Council’s Disaster Hub had 115 closures the area and surrounds on Friday morning.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued an initial flood warning on Thursday afternoon, confirming minor flooding along the Maroochy and Mooloolah rivers and minor to moderate flooding along Coochin Creek.
There have been high rainfall figures recorded around the region. Yandina, Diddilibah, Dunethin Rock and Radar Hill had in excess of 200mm in less than 24 hours. There were also heavy falls in the preceding 24 hours.
The State Emergency Service (SES) received 84 calls for assistance across the Sunshine Coast local government area between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.
Callouts across South-East Queensland were for structural damage, flooding and downed trees.
Sunshine Coast schools remained operational on Thursday, despite schools closing in the Moreton Bay region.
Showers were forecast for days to come, including 10-50mm on Friday, before easing somewhat.
On the southern end of the Coast, council brought forward the opening of Currimundi Lake after the heavier-than-expected rainfall caused water levels to rise across the connected lake system.
Councillor Tim Burns said crews had originally planned to open the lake on Friday, but the decision was brought forward after rainfall on Monday far exceeded forecasts.
“Monday the forecast was for 40mm for that catchment and we got 120mm,” he said.
“By Tuesday, we had machines down there, by Tuesday night we had an effective opening at the lake.”
Cr Burns said the lake, which connects to the Kawana and Birtinya residential areas, naturally opens and closes depending on ocean conditions, with council intervening only when public safety becomes a concern.
“In the instance of the lake, often what that means is the lake level gets to certain heights and starts to impact on pathways around Lake Kawana,” Cr Burns said.
He said some public pathways had been inundated with water, but no private homes or properties had been affected.
Cr Burns also explained why council could not simply open the lake ahead of forecast heavy rainfall, saying it was a fine balancing act to get the conditions right.
“We try not to open the lake when the water level is too low, as it’s not effective… it doesn’t stay open more often than not,” he said.
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With the entrance now open, water from the catchment can flow into the ocean, relieving pressure on the connected lake system.
Cr Burns said the lake could remain open for months, depending on swell direction, tides and other ocean conditions.
For updated road closures, power outages and emergency warnings, visit the Sunshine Coast Disaster Hub.
Residents requiring assistance with non-life-threatening storm damage or flooding can contact the SES on 132 500. Anyone facing a life-threatening emergency should call Triple Zero (000).
