Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Central Highlands and Coalfields, Wide Bay and Burnett, Maranoa and Warrego, Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Central West Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:23 pm Monday, 29 January 2024.

AREA OF LIKELY INTENSE RAINFALL WITH THUNDERSTORMS MOVING INTO THE EASTERN DARLING DOWNS.

Weather Situation: A low pressure trough and a very humid, unstable air mass lie over the southern interior of Queensland, triggering thunderstorms with heavy to intense rainfall.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Maranoa and Warrego and Central West districts. Locations which may be affected include Emerald, Rolleston, Springsure, Injune and Comet.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Wide Bay and Burnett, Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Central Highlands and Coalfields districts. Locations which may be affected include Chinchilla, Miles and Tara.

A separate Severe Weather Warning for heavy to intense rainfall is current further east for the Southeast Coast, Wide Bay and Burnett, and Darling Downs districts. Refer to that product for more information.

57 mm in 1 hour to 5:07 am at Consuelo Alert (southern Central Highlands)

53 mm in 1 hour to 6:43 am at Wallumbilla TM (east of Roma)

105 mm in 3 hours to 5:14 pm at St George.

102 km/h wind gust at St George at 2:47 pm.

Emergency services advise people to:
* If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust.
* Park your car undercover away from trees.
* Close doors and windows.
* Keep asthma medications close by. Storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks.
* Charge mobile phones and power banks in case the power goes out.
* Put your pets somewhere safe and make sure they can be identified in case they get lost.
* Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous.
* Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area.
* Go inside a strong building now. Stay inside until the storm has passed.