Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain are forecast across much of eastern Australia this weekend, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning of flash-flooding risks in several states. The forecast covers parts of Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania, according to The Guardian’s report on the Bureau warning.
Central and eastern Queensland, including Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg, the Sunshine Coast hinterland and Roma, could see severe storms on Saturday. Severe weather is also possible in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and central and eastern South Australia, while heavy rain is expected to develop in Tasmania overnight into Sunday. A cold front is forecast to bring severe thunderstorms to parts of New South Wales, north-eastern Victoria, Sydney and Brisbane on Sunday, The Guardian reported.
The forecast comes after intense rain caused flash flooding in south-east Queensland. Eight schools remained closed, dozens of roads were shut and the State Emergency Service had responded to more than 540 call-outs, ABC News reported. Queensland Fire Department crews carried out more than 16 swift-water rescues, while two campers were winched to safety after being cut off by floodwater at Mount Barney, ABC reported.
Rainfall totals included 203mm in six hours at Caboolture and more than 250mm over 24 hours at Morayfield and Burpengary, ABC reported. The Bureau said further rainfall could cause additional catchments to flood, with riverine flooding remaining a risk.
Queensland’s Deputy Commissioner of Disaster and Emergency Management said emergency services would remain on high levels of standby across the weekend. He warned that even large vehicles could be swept away in floodwater, ABC reported.