South-east Queensland and northern New South Wales are dealing with the aftermath of powerful storms and heavy rainfall, which have caused widespread flooding and left more than 200,000 people without power. Although the thunderstorms have started to ease, emergency alerts are still in place due to the ongoing risk of dangerous flooding.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has warned of more severe weather from Gympie to the Queensland border and westward to Toowoomba and Goondiwindi. Rainfall has been intense, with some areas seeing up to 150mm of rain in just six hours. The Sunshine Coast town of Nambour has recorded over 300mm of rain since Sunday morning — its heaviest March rainfall since 1893. Brisbane has also been drenched, seeing its highest monthly total since Cyclone Wanda in 1974.
Flooding has already begun in many areas, with the Lockyer Valley facing particularly dangerous conditions. Major roads like the Warrego Highway have been closed, and residents in towns like Laidley and Grantham have been told to take shelter. Emergency services have been overwhelmed, with the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) handling nearly 3,700 calls for help in just 24 hours — their busiest day on record.
Authorities have also issued multiple flood warnings and evacuation alerts. Parts of Brisbane face threats from increased water releases at Enoggera Dam, and major flooding is occurring in the Logan River at Beaudesert, with water levels expected to peak at 10.3 meters. Several towns, including Tamborine, Cedar Creek, and Eagleby, are on high alert.
The damage caused by the storms is massive. Trees have been uprooted, power lines are down, and some supermarkets have flooded, raising concerns about food supply. In Hervey Bay, flash floods have caused significant damage, while in the New South Wales town of Kyogle, residents have been cut off by rising waters.
To support those affected, the Queensland government has announced emergency payments, with $180 available per person and $900 per family in the hardest-hit areas like the Gold Coast, Redlands, and Logan. Schools have also been heavily impacted, with hundreds of closures across northern New South Wales and parents awaiting updates on whether more schools will shut.
Power restoration remains a challenge, with over 210,000 homes and businesses in the dark. The Gold Coast has been hit hardest, with 67,000 outages. State-owned power company Energex said damage assessment and repairs are ongoing, but the scale of destruction has slowed progress.
As the region braces for more rain and potential flooding, emergency services continue their work, urging residents to stay safe, stay informed, and avoid unnecessary travel until conditions improve.
