A man who became trapped in floodwaters on the Burnett Highway near Booubyjan was rescued by swiftwater crews in a motorised vessel around 10:45am, after both the rescue helicopter and PolAir were grounded due to worsening weather conditions.Crews had been called to the scene around 6.50am after reports the man had become trapped, and upon arrival located him on the roof of a vehicle near Murgon Gayndah Road.He was uninjured.
In a separate incident at The Causeway in Bargara, Bundaberg police were deployed following reports two people were stranded in floodwaters, and around 7.40am police located the vehicle and safely removed both occupants. According to reporting by 9News, the 54-year-old male driver was subsequently fined $667 for driving without due care and attention.
Most of the heavier rainfall falls were focused across the Wide Bay-Burnett, catching parts of the Sunshine Coast, southern Capricornia and the Central Highlands and Coalfields.A Severe Weather Warning covers parts of the Wide Bay-Burnett, Capricornia and Central Highlands and Coalfields, flagging the risk of heavy to locally intense rainfall, with six-hourly rainfall totals through the day in the 60mm to 90mm range and isolated falls much higher.
The rainfall intensity reflects the severity of the system moving through the region.Looking at 24-hour rainfall totals to 9am, most of the heavier falls were focused across the Wide Bay-Burnett, catching parts of the Sunshine Coast, southern Capricornia and the Central Highlands. Earlier overnight,heavier falls included 260mm at Brovinia, 190mm at Emerald and 184mm at Gympie.
A Flood Watch is current for most of Queensland, with widespread minor to moderate flooding possible and the potential for isolated major flooding.Major Flood Warnings are already in place for the Charleys Creek, Stuart and Boyne rivers, Barker and Barambah creeks, and the Mary River downstream of Gympie. Multiple major arterial roads have been closed:the Bruce Highway has been closed due to flooding at Takilberan near Gin Gin, with water also over the highway at Two Mile near Gympie.
Flash flooding will remain a risk on Monday, but the impacts of riverine flooding are likely to continue for some days. Police and emergency services continue to urge motorists to avoid driving in floodwaters and to check road conditions before travelling.The message is simple: if it's flooded, forget it.