Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Central Coast and Whitsundays, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett and Darling Downs and Granite Belt Forecast Districts.

Issued at 7:31 pm Tuesday, 30 January 2024.

Heavy rainfall and possible damaging winds expected with thunderstorms tonight over parts of eastern Queensland.

Weather Situation: A very moist, unstable air mass lying northeast of a surface trough is triggering thunderstorms with heavy rainfall over parts of eastern Queensland tonight.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds over the next several hours in parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett and Darling Downs and Granite Belt districts. Locations which may be affected include Emerald, Rockhampton, Biloela, Blackwater, Taroom, Monto, Rolleston, Baralaba, Springsure, Moura, Capella and Mount Morgan.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Central Coast and Whitsundays and Central Highlands and Coalfields districts. Locations which may be affected include Charters Towers, Collinsville, Nebo, Eungella, Mingela, Woodstock and Clare.

Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Maranoa and Warrego district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.

49mm in the hour to 5pm at Rocky Creek Alert, northeast of Charleville.

50mm in the 30 minutes to 6:15pm at Redcliffe (Mimosa Creek) Alert, between Rolleston and Biloela.

48mm in the 30 minutes to 7:15pm at Upper Reid Alert, south of Townsville.

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.