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Government shuts down South-East Queensland

Flooding is occuring across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Image 9 News

UPDATE 5:30 Starts at 60 is closing its rolling coverage of the wild weather across South-East Queensland and NSW.

Here’s the latest news as we head into the evening:

The Bureau of Meteorology says a severe thunderstorm is heading for the Sunshine Coast this evening.

“These thunderstorms are moving towards the south-east,” they said in a statement. “They are forecast to affect the area north of Noosa Heads, the area east of Gympie and Lake Cooloola by 5:20 pm and Noosa Heads, waters off Noosa Heads and the area northwest of Noosa Heads by 5:50 pm.”

Around the rest of the region, residents in northern NSW have been evacuated and evacuation centres have opened at the Ipswich showgrounds outside Brisbane and at Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast.

Energex says more than 11,000 homes and businesses are blacked-out across the south-east. Residents are urged to make sure phones are charged and torches are on standby in case they lose power at some point.

Around 1,000 schools will be closed again tomorrow, affecting 300,000 students.

Authorities are keeping a close watch on rising dam levels and will conduct controlled releases if needed.

SES crews have received thousands of calls for help this afternoon and are urging everyone to stay inside and off the roads.

If you do need to contact the SES for help call 132500. You can keep up-to-date with road closures in Queensland at Department of Transport and Main Roads and in NSW through the Roads and Maritime Services

UPDATE 4:00pm  An evacuation order has been issued for parts of northern NSW with flood waters rising fast.

Residents in Lismore, Chinderah, Kingscliff, Fingal Head, Bilambil, South Murwillumbah, Condong and Tumbulgum have been told they must leave immediately.

Strong winds and rain are battering the region with the Weather Bureau saying the worst is yet to come tonight.

In Queensland, Kedron Brook in Nundah has broken its bank, while a family is trapped inside their house at Sarabah. Rescue crews say they are safe, but are monitoring the situation.

Over 200 roads across the South-East are closed with the latest updates available at the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

At the Gold Coast, a mudslide has covered part of the road at Springbrook, blocking traffic on both sides.

Police are once again urging people to stay off the roads and away from flood waters. There have been numerous reports of children playing in the water and dozens of drivers have been rescued from their cars.

UPDATE: 1:50pm  Here’s what we know so far:

  • The SES has received more than 1000 calls for help as flash flooding swamps large parts of South-East Queensland
  • A number of people have been rescued from cars across Brisbane
  • The Gold Coast hinterland has recorded more than 400 millimetres of rain
  • Schools will remain closed tomorrow
  • Business have been told to close today and everyone has been urged to stay inside
  • A severe weather warning is still in place with heavy rains and wind gusts from ex-cyclone Debbie expected to continue this afternoon

Meanwhile, a group has set up a giant slip and slide at Coolangatta on the Gold Coast.

UPDATE: 12:40pm A severe weather warning remains in place for South-East Queensland this afternoon, although the initial threat of a severe thunderstorm has passed.

Authorities say they will continue to update people throughout the day, with water from flash fooding expected to rise.

At present, rainfall has delivered 104mm within 2-3 hours at Corinda, 113mm within 2-3 hours at Flagstone Creek, 124mm within 2-3 hours at Upper Springbrook.

Andy Thomson from Brisbane shared this video of flood waters near his house in Bulimba.

UPDATE 12:00pm  Images from across Brisbane city show cars submerged in water, with parks and roads blocked off by flash flooding. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSPovAAD174/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSPp2jsjywN/

Meanwhile, residents in low-laying areas have begun sandbagging their properties for protection form the rising water. 

There are currently 626 traffic alerts across Queensland according to the Department of Transport and Main Roads. 

The SES says it has received hundreds of calls for assistance this morning from people in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Logan. 

Police are urging people to stay inside and keep a close eye on family after reports of children playing in flood waters in the street. 

UPDATE 11:30am The Gold Airport has closed for the day with Tiger Air and Virgin cancelling all services. Brisbane airport remains open but some delays are expected.

Meanwhile, police have intervened after two cars were almost completely submerged in water on Nicholas Street in Windsor, Brisbane.

Photos taken in West End show the Brisbane River is rising close to the edge of the bank, while roads are already covered in water.

The Brisbane River is steadily rising by the hour. Image Starts at 60
Roads in many parts of the city are already flooded. Image Starts at 60

Further south in Tweed, water has already submerged large parts of the region with locals saying the river is already high.

Local resident Narelle Hulme said she had stocked up on supplies this morning, but intended to heed warnings from the authorities and stay home for the remainder of the day.

“I have managed to get to town for supplies but intend to hunker down till the sun shines,” she said.

Flood waters rise in Tweed. Image Narelle Hulme.
The rain is falling heavily in Tweed. Image Narelle Hulme

UPDATE 9:45am Translink says public transport will be free after 10am this morning in a bid to help workers get home safely.

Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad is asking people to look out for their neighbours, friends and family as weather intensifies throughout the day.

“We expect this weather to continue to intensify and wind speeds to pick up and rain to continue to fall much more than it currently is,” she said. “Please stay off the roads. If you don’t have to be on the roads, please don’t be on the roads, and if it’s flooded, forget it.

“Look after vulnerable neighbours, check in with them, make sure that they are safe, and that they know that they can contact you, and also ensure that you have batteries in your radio and also your mobile phones are charged and that your battery packs are charged.”

Roads are already going under in some parts of Brisbane. 

UPDATE 9:20am Police say a number of rescues are underway across Brisbane. Forty people are being evacuated in Homebush and will be moved to the West Leagues Club.

Meanwhile 12 people are being rescued in other areas, although police did not specify as to where this is happening.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad says the Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine dams are at low capacity after a dry summer and that the government is considering a controlled release of water from them later in the day.

UPDATE 8:50am South-East Queensland has been shut down by the government today, with Deputy Premier Jackie Trad saying all non-essential public servants should go home.

Brisbane and other parts of the state are expected to flood today as heavy rainfall inundates the region.

The state government and Queensland Police have closed all schools from Anges Water to the New South Wales border and urged people to stay home and only leave the house if absolutely necessary.

More than 200 roads have been closed in the state as of 8am Thursday.

Evacuation centres will be opened at Woodford, Caboolture, Bribie Island and Dakabin later this morning, the Moreton Bay Regional Council has confirmed.

Flooding has already begun in some areas, with images from a carpark in Robina on the Gold Coast showing parked cars submerged in water.

The Bureau of Meteorology says rain is expected to ease around midday before coming back strong in the afternoon.

Residents in low-laying areas are encouraged to sandbag their properties as a precausion.

If you are travelling check the Road Maps from the Emergency services.

Have something to add? Send us your photos and videos via our Facebook inbox or email us at [email protected] 

We will update more on the situation throughout the day. Have you been affected? 

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