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, Southeast Coast and Central West Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:53 pm Monday, 30 December 2024.

INTENSE RAINFALL OCCURRING AROUND KINGAROY.

Weather Situation: A moist and unstable airmass combined with an upper trough is leading to the development of severe thunderstorms.

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, Wide Bay and Burnett, Maranoa and Warrego, Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Southeast Coast and Central West districts. Locations which may be affected include Toowoomba, Carnarvon National Park, Gatton, and Tara.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding and damaging winds over the next several hours in parts of the Wide Bay and Burnett district. Locations which may be affected include Kingaroy, Cherbourg, Wondai, Murgon and Nanango.

82 MM WAS RECORDED AT KINGAROY IN THE 1 HOUR TO 4:36 PM

65 mm was recorded at Moffatt in the 2 hours to 4:30 pm

68 mm was recorded at Dalby in the 2 hours to 3:51 pm

43 mm was recorded at Jandowae-Macalister Road in the 30 minutes to 3:28 pm

62.6 mm was recorded at Saddler Springs in the 1 hour to 1:12 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.