Up to 280mm of rain could fall on the Sunshine Coast over the next three days, creating flash flooding and dangerous driving and beach conditions.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for the Southeast Coast and people in parts of Wide Bay and Burnett with ‘a disruption to some transport routes likely’.
It predicts 35mm-70mm of rain Sunday, followed by a significant 100mm-150mm on Monday and 25mm-60mm Tuesday.
The anticipated deluge is linked to a trough with an embedded subtropical low over the central Coral Sea.
The Bureau says this will deepen while moving rapidly southwest towards the Capricornia Coast on Sunday. It is then expected to adopt a south to south-easterly track on Monday and move parallel to the coast, either along the coastal fringe or just offshore.
The threat of heaviest rainfall is highly dependent on the track of the trough and embedded subtropical low.
“Flash flooding may develop over areas between Seventeen Seventy, Gympie and Caloundra on Sunday night and into Monday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 120 to 160 mm are likely in areas with locally intense falls of 200 to 250 mm possible over coastal communities and Fraser Island,’’ the Bureau said in its 5am Sunday bulletin.
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A Flood Watch is also current for coastal catchments between St Lawrence and the Queensland/New South Wales border, extending inland to the Darling Downs.
Locations which may be affected include Fraser Island, Seventeen Seventy, Maroochydore, Gympie, Bundaberg, Noosa Heads, Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Nambour, Rainbow Beach and Tiaro.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:
* Never drive, walk or ride through flood waters. If it’s flooded, forget it.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.
Dangerous surf conditions are expected to develop Sunday evening south of Seventeen Seventy, including the southern Capricornia and Fraser Island Coast. Surf and swell conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, and swimming in the following areas.
This will extend to the Sunshine Coast on Monday.
South-easterly to easterly winds will increase to 20-30 knots and the swell is expected to rise to 2m-3m.
