Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Central Coast and Whitsundays, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West, Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett and Southeast Coast Forecast Districts.

Issued at 9:32 pm Thursday, 21 December 2023.

Severe thunderstorms continue in the southeast and have redeveloped in parts of the Central West.

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

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Central Coast and Whitsundays, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett and Southeast Coast districts. Locations which may be affected include Gympie, Maryborough, Biloela, Blackwater, Moranbah and Mount Morgan.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds over the next several hours in parts of the Central West district. Locations which may be affected include Longreach, Ilfracombe and Muttaburra.

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.