Flood Rescues Underway as Heavy Rainfall Hits South-East Queensland

Heavy rainfall has led to multiple flood rescues across south-east Queensland, with over 150mm recorded in some areas since midnight. A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for several regions, including Brisbane, Caboolture, and Ipswich.

Several people have been rescued from floodwaters overnight as heavy rainfall sets in across central and southern Queensland. More than 150mm was recorded at Caboolture, north of Brisbane, since midnight. Closer to Brisbane, 106mm has so far been recorded at Eatons Hill and almost 50mm in the CBD.

Two public schools and six independent schools have so far announced they will be closed on Friday. A severe thunderstorm warning for heavy rainfall and flash flooding has been issued by the bureau for Brisbane, Caboolture, Ipswich, Jimboomba, Boonah, and Springbrook.

Flooding has closed multiple roads in the Caboolture region north of Brisbane. Senior forecaster Angus Hines said a "very dangerous" thunderstorm was concentrated around the Caboolture-Burpengary area.

"It has brought incredible amounts of rainfall over about the last three hours," he said.

"It is pretty likely that that's leading to some really significant flash flooding this morning."

Mr. Hines said the thunderstorm is gradually drifting south and has a possibility of heading towards Brisbane's western suburbs and Ipswich later on Thursday morning. He said to expect "significant disruption, delays, and flooding".

Deputy Police Commissioner Chris Stream said people were rescued from floodwaters in two separate incidents.

"In both cases they've been carried out by other members of the public, and we are receiving a large amount of calls in regards to people being observed driving into floodwaters," Mr. Stream said.

"There is minimal warning so you really need to know the risk where you are."

Senior forecaster Steve Hadley said flash flooding in local creeks could occur over the next few hours.

"Do have a look around you and keep your situational awareness high today," he said.

A minor flood warning is in place for the Barcoo River while initial minor flood warnings have been issued for the Bulloo River and the Warrego River.

Rough sleepers in Moreton Bay have been inundated by the rainfall. Rough sleepers at Wylie Park in Moreton Bay were among the first to feel the impact of the heavy rainfall.

In a statement, Moreton Bay Council said it was sending officers out to the park to assess the impact.

"We encourage anyone sleeping rough to move out of low-lying areas or sites near creeks or rivers to safer ground," a spokesperson said.

100mm rain hits Scenic Rim. A Scenic Rim councillor said heavy overnight falls in the region are helping to boost water supplies after months of drier conditions.

The weather bureau has recorded about 100mm of rainfall at Canungra in the last 24-hours, with more wet weather anticipated. Area councillor Stephen Moriarty said creek levels are up, and conditions could change rapidly but for now, the rainfall is welcome.

"Oh, it makes an amazing difference," Cr. Moriarty said.

"We have so many people who aren't on reticulated water and rely on rainwater for their water tanks, and I know a lot of people have started buying water recently. We love the rain."

Rain costing grain growers. After parts of south-west Queensland were drought-declared this July, the region has finally received a heavy downpour, with ongoing storms expected in the coming days.

Based on a property in Muckadilla, about 520 kilometres west of Brisbane, crop farmer Scott Loughnan said he had not seen rain this heavy since 2016.

"If we have another 40mm, I think that will double what rain we've had for the year," he said.

"There's a lot of graziers around here, and it [the drought] was pretty dire for them. They were all making plans for feeding livestock and destocking, so this [rain] will make that a lot easier for them."

"This has cost us personally, half a million dollars or more, in lost income," he said.

"I think the damage has been done to the crops. [The] chickpeas might be salvageable, but I can't change the weather."