Evacuate NOW: Emergency flood warnings for thousands after 130mm rain dump in just three hours as Australia’s east coast is battered by a week of heavy rain – here’s the forecast near you
- Residents of Sapphire, in QLD’s Central Highlands have been told to evacuate
- NSW and QLD will be battered with heavy rainfall until next Tuesday, BoM says
- Sydney will see as much as 35mm of rain on Friday and 50mm for Saturday
Thousands of Queenslanders have been urged to move to higher ground after the state was battered by heavy rainfall that’s expected to last for another week.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services issued the warning for residents in Sapphire, in the Central Highlands Region just before 5am on Wednesday.
‘Due to heavy rainfall, the Retreat Creek is rising rapidly and major flooding is expected. Properties in low-lying areas are likely to be impacted,’ the warning said.
‘Council advises residents to warn neighbours, secure belongings and move to higher ground now.’
The warning comes amid a week of wild weather for Australia’s east coast with New South Wales and Queensland set to be battered by thunderstorms with no sunshine in sight.
Thousands of Queenslanders have been urged to move to higher ground after the state was battered by heavy rainfall that’s expected to last for another week (pictured residents in Sunshine Coast)
More than 215mm of rain fell in The Gem Fields, near Sapphire, with the river reaching up to 10m high – hitting the major flood level.
Other central Queensland areas like Florence Vale was hit with 124mm of rain in just three hours and Keilambete had 138mm of rain before midnight.
Meanwhile, in New South Wales a hazardous surf warning has been issued for the Macquarie Coast, Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast, Illawarra Coast, Batemans Coast and Eden Coast.
Swimmers and fishermen have been urged to stay away from the water in these areas.
Brisbane residents can expect a miserable week ahead with chances of rain above 60 per cent for everyday to next Tuesday.
Thunderstorms are also expected along with the heavy downpour of rain.
Meanwhile Sydney will be drenched with a huge soaking with up to 35mm of rain forecast for Friday and 50mm for Saturday.
Temperatures will be warm for Sydneysiders over the next week but the rain is set to last until next Tuesday with no end in sight.
New South Wales and Queensland are set to be battered by thunderstorms with no sunshine in sight (pictured people sheltering from rain in Brisbane)
‘La Nina has started to ease but it is still expected to influence Australia’s climate in early autumn and is typically associated with above average rainfall for eastern and northern Australia,’ the Bureau of Meteorology’s Sarah Scully said.
‘Showers and storms are continuing into Thursday again with potentially heavy rainfall totals.’
Further south in Melbourne, the city will see a dry and warm week with only a 50 per cent chance of rain on Tuesday.
Adelaide residents will also escape the rain, with the next few days bringing sunshine and temperatures around 30C.
Those in the nation’s capital are in for a colder week as autumn kicks into gear with temperatures lingering around 21C with a high chance of rain over the weekend.
Hobart will be dry and sunny with days reaching around 25C.
Over on the other side of the country, Perth residents will sweat through the week with Friday soaring to tops of 38C and Saturday to 37C.
Darwin will be hot with high chances of thunderstorms and rainfall over the next week.