Brutal monsoon storms hits Australia’s east days after ex-tropical cyclone Seth lashed region
Residents in Australia’s eastern pocket are struggling to overcome monsoon-like flood conditions – just days after tropical cyclone Seth lashed some parts of Queensland.
One person is dead, tragically drowning in a vehicle after being swept away in floodwaters about 7.30pm on Friday in Kanigan, a remote area split between the Fraser Coast region and Gympie region.
A police spokesman confirmed the incident unfolded on Cherry Tree Rd.
Overnight 650mm of rain was recorded across the Wide Bay region, north of Brisbane, with a major flood emergency unfolding across the Wide Bay and Burnett areas.
The Bruce Highway has also been shut by floodwaters north of Gympie, between suburbs Curra and Tiaro.
Overnight, approximately 650mm of rain was recorded across the Wide Bay region, north of Brisbane, with a major flood emergency unfolding across the Wide Bay and Burnett areas (pictured)
Ominously, a new weather threat is emerging over the Gulf of Carpentaria, (pictured) with a monsoon stretching more than 1000km
Authorities have reported multiple vehicles have been washed away and many properties are now flooded.
Queensland Fire and Emergency have also responded to multiple incidents, with dozens of rescues currently unfolding.
They include the dramatic rescue of three people from a flooded house at Gundiah, a remote area in Queensland’s Fraser Coast region.
The rural township is located 5km north-west of Mt Kanigan, where more than 650mm of rain has fallen since Friday morning.
On Friday night, an emergency alert was issued by the Fraser Coast Regional Council, following intense flooding in Miva and Tiaro, south of Maryborough.
Residents were forced to seek refuge at a petrol station, with local Mike Fry describing the scenes as ‘crazy.’
‘All the fences are gone, people’s gear is washed into them, cars are under water, houses and sheds inundated,’ he said.
‘It’s the worst I’ve seen in 16 years, by a very large margin.’
Two more residents were also saved from a flooded house in nearby Brooweena.
Queensland Police have since issued an urgent warning to motorists in the Wide Bay region.
‘During and immediately after severe weather events traversing roadways, either in vehicles or on foot, can be extremely hazardous as water levels can rise and fall quickly,’ Queensland Police,’ a statement read.
‘If driving, please travel with extreme caution and drive to the prevailing weather and road conditions – plan your trip, allow additional travel time, incorporating travel at low speeds, delays and diversions.’
The heavy rainfall in some pockets of the Sunshine State is largely due to tropical cyclone Seth, which has caused havoc on the Gold Coast the past few days.
Ominously, a new threat is emerging over the Gulf of Carpentaria, with a monsoon stretching more than 1000km.
The Bureau of Meteorology predicts there is a 50 per cent chance the system will develop into a full-blown cyclone over the next 48 hours, with effects to be felt from Cardwell to the tip of the Cape, according to the Courier Mail.
Weather bureau hazard response co-ordinator Brooke Pagel said experts are ‘definitely keeping an eye on it’ before confirming storms and isolated heavy falls are expected until at least Monday.
The aftermath of Cyclone Seth this week in Queensland, which has rocked areas such as the Gold Coast (pictured)
In some parts of Queensland, trees have been uprooted as Cyclone Seth left its mark across the state
Rainbow beach in Queensland was also hammered by the cyclone, with a ute (pictured) trapped by strong waves
On the Sunshine Coast, the hinterland areas recorded up to 90mm leading into Friday, while on the Gold Coast, king tides and the ex-tropical cyclone have hit hard.
Currumbin Vikings Surf Club was hammered by swells of up to five metres, with the club carpark suffering significant damage.
Beer kegs were swept into the ocean and a fence was also destroyed, with club CEO Michael Sullivan labelling the scenes ‘next level.’
In other states, the weather outlook is also bleak, with rain forecast for Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Hobart this weekend.
Perth and Darwin are the only capital cities tipped to see sunshine, with showers also predicted for Canberra.
