Queensland floods wreak havoc as residents warned of 'worst case'
Central and southeast Queensland have been worst hit with a month's worth of rain falling over a coupe of days.
Residents have been forced to evacuate their homes as roads turn into rivers in central and southeast Queensland after thunderstorms dumped a month’s worth of rain on some areas over the weekend – with the deluge showing no sign of abating.
Images show roads blocked, cars submerged and people standing in shoulder-height floodwater while emergency services have been inundated with calls for help, with firefighters scooping people out of the water in Moreton Bay, Somerset, Lockyer Valley and Darling Downs.
One resident was spotted kayaking down a street in a bid to escape, with bins, lampposts and other debris floating behind him in the water.
Shopping centres have also be heavily impacted with Morayfield Shopping Centre in Moreton Bay closing stores after lower levels were flooded as well as the underground car park.
The heavy rainfall is being caused by ex-tropical Cyclone Kirrily which is funnelling moisture down the state as it lingers between Mount Isa and Longreach — where it is expected to remain for the next few days. Flood warnings are current for large parts of central and southeast Queensland and are also impacting northeast NSW.
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Flash flooding predicted in next 48 hours
The Bureau of Meteorology is expecting flash flooding in many regions in the next few days, with the wild weather already causing destruction and leaving thousands without power.
"In the worst case it could lead to inundation of homes, properties, businesses and agricultural land," the bureau warned.
Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) is urging people to not attempt to cross flooded roads and respect blocked road signs, with the full extent of road damages often not clear until clean-up operations take place.
"If it’s flooded, forget it! Do not attempt to cross flooded areas," QAS wrote online.
with AAP
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