Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Central Coast and Whitsundays and parts of Central Highlands and Coalfields, Capricornia, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders and Herbert and Lower Burdekin Forecast Districts.

Issued at 1:22 am Friday, 22 December 2023.

Severe thunderstorms continue over the central parts early Friday morning.

Weather Situation: Severe thunderstorms are ongoing in a very humid airmass through parts of Queensland and are expected to persist well into the evening and Friday morning. Intense rainfall has eased for now, but localised intense falls may redevelop tonight through the Central and Capricornia coasts and the Central Highlands and Coalfields.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Moranbah, Collinsville, St Lawrence, Sarina, Nebo and Eungella.

109 km/h wind gust was recorded at 9:22 pm at at Longreach Airport.

58.0 mm was recorded in 1 hour to 9:17 pm at Duckponds (east of Emerald)

66.0 mm was recorded in 1 hour to 8:15 pm at Sippy Downs.

61.0 mm was recorded in 1 hour to 5:50 pm at Wacol.

Emergency services advise people to:
* 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.