Heavy Rainfall and significant flooding risks in Queensland's Central Coast

17/01/2023

Issued: 3:30pm (AEDT) Tuesday 17 January

Heavy rainfall and flooding continue to impact Queensland's Central Coast.

A Severe Weather Warning is current for heavy to locally intense rainfall between Ayr and St Lawrence, and adjacent inland areas, including Mackay, Proserpine and Bowen.

Many catchments in northern and central Queensland are experiencing minor to major flooding. Catchments in central and northern Queensland are saturated and will respond rapidly to further rainfall. Dangerous flash flooding remains possible, particularly around the coast and ranges north of Mackay to Nebo.

A Flood Watch is current for the Lower Herbert and Central Coast catchments. There is continued disruption to transport networks including the Bruce Highway and some towns will remain isolated.

The widespread and locally heavy rain will ease to showers overnight tonight into tomorrow as the trough and associated low shift offshore.

Rainfall totals in excess of 100 mm were reported from Bowen to south of Mackay, with numerous sites along the Central Coast reporting rainfall totals in excess of 200 mm.

To 9am 17 January, notable daily rainfall amounts include:

• Finch Hatton with 360 mm
• Ridgelands with 320 mm
• Eungella with 308 mmAC

High tides are expected in parts of coastal Queensland later this week, and there is the potential for abnormally high tides in parts of Torres Strait and the western Peninsula from Friday.

Daytime maximum temperatures were well below average across the northern interior, central and eastern districts on Tuesday, ranging 4 to 9 °C below average in parts of the Central Highlands, the Central Coast and Capricornia.

Residents and communities should stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings via our website and BOM Weather app and follow the advice of emergency services.

ENDS