Brisbane flash flooding remains a risk through the weekend, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting more storms across the inner city after a severe thunderstorm dumped heavy rain north of the CBD on Thursday morning.
What fell on Thursday morning
The bureau warned of a “very dangerous slow-moving thunderstorm” north of Brisbane, according to Xinhua. ABC News reported almost 140mm fell at Caboolture in the three hours to 7:30am, while the CBD recorded almost 50mm. Roads flooded in Rocklea, floodwater entered Morayfield Shopping Centre, and members of the public rescued several people from floodwater in two separate incidents overnight. Police said they were receiving many calls about people driving into floodwaters.
Brisbane flash flooding forecast for the inner city
The bureau’s Brisbane forecast, issued at 1pm on Thursday, says 25 to 90mm could fall for the rest of the day. It describes a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening as “possibly severe with heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding”.
- Friday: 90 per cent chance of rain (2 to 20mm), with a thunderstorm possible late morning and afternoon.
- Saturday: showers (4 to 25mm) and a thunderstorm possible in the afternoon and evening.
- Sunday: showers (3 to 20mm) and a thunderstorm possible in the afternoon and evening.
- Monday: showers (1 to 10mm), with a thunderstorm likely later in the day.
At 2:06pm Thursday, the bureau’s latest severe thunderstorm warning for south-east Queensland named parts of the Moreton Bay, Lockyer Valley, Somerset, Scenic Rim, Southern Downs, Toowoomba and Sunshine Coast council areas, but not Brisbane. Warnings can be reissued quickly, so check the bureau’s warnings page before heading out.
What it means for New Farm, Newstead and the Valley
The bureau has not issued a suburb-specific warning for our patch, but short, intense bursts can overwhelm drains quickly. Forecasters say warning time is minimal, so it pays to know your local risk. Worth thinking about:
- Move cars out of basement car parks and low-lying streets before heavy rain arrives.
- Secure loose items on balconies and terraces.
- Never drive, ride or walk through floodwater.
- Keep your phone charged and know the Queensland SES number, 132 500, for help in floods and storms. Call 000 in a life-threatening emergency.
Related: Flood Emergency: Brisbane Inner City Residents Urged to Monitor Water Levels as Heavy Rain Hits
Sources: Bureau of Meteorology Brisbane forecast and warnings, ABC News, Xinhua.
