The torrential rain that has pounded much of coastal Queensland and northern New South Wales for days has thrown grey nomad travel plans into chaos.
The deluge has caused localised flooding, closed major roads, and has now claimed a total of six lives.
Parts of Gympie had to be evacuated as water levels rose, and the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and the Gold Coast have all been severely affected.
With flooding in many residential streets, motorists have been urged not to drive in the areas as the backwash can cause significant problems for those homeowners.
Police, SES and Queensland Fire and Rescue authorities are urging locals to stay home and off roads, with another 200-300mm possible.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads closed the Bruce Highway in both directions from Caboolture to Caloundra with water covering several sections of the main artery.
Queensland Police said the closures would be in place for a ‘lengthy period’.
There have been many incidents of motorists getting trapped in floodwaters and sadly also a number of fatalities.
A man died overnight in the Brisbane suburb of Indooroopilly after his car was found in floodwaters. He is the sixth confirmed fatality so far.
Motorists are urged not to drive through flood waters and call triple-0 in the case of an emergency.
In recent days, there have been a couple of incidents involving caravans.
A number of motorists have been caught out by the floodwaters. PIC: Courier Mail
A QFES spokesman said Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) swiftwater crews had responded to ‘caravan partially submerged at Mudgeeraba’ in the Gold Coast hinterland.
“The vehicle was pushed to higher ground and the occupants were safe,” he said.
At Mothar Mountain, south-east of Gympie, a couple in their 60s reportedly had to be plucked from a tree after their caravan and car were washed away.
And near the town of Kenilworth, about an hour south of Gympie, three people had were rescued from a caravan park after floodwaters swept a vehicle and caravan away. An SES said he understood the people were not hurt, however, he said the caravan had not been located.
For other grey nomads not immediately caught in threatening situations it’s been a matter of sitting tight and hoping the rains subside soon. Some travellers report feeling a bit ‘stir crazy’ but are otherwise in good spirits.
However, it seems there could be more of the soggy same in the short to medium term.
The Bureau of Meteorology has said this week’s weather could be a possible indicator of what’s in store for Queensland’s autumn outlook.
“Autumn is likely to be wetter than normal for much of Queensland and scattered areas of southeastern Australia, including areas already impacted by summer floods,” the bureau said.
On a more optimistic note, observations and climate models suggest that while La Niña has brought increased rain, it is likely at or past its peak and should end in mid-autumn.
We live in Gympie. Mary river got to 22.96 metres, second highest recorded, previous highest was 25.45m in 1893 when they used to float logs down the Mary so was an artificial height as the logs entangled and dammed the Mary. Many homes inundated and many without power. The gas hot water and cooker in the caravan and solar power to charge phones and fridge etc had been handy. Have been pouring over 250mm rain out of the gauge most days. Still a lot of water upstream yet to arrive with some overnight falls in the catchment up to 950mm. 4th major flood for us since we have lived here. First 3 on the farm rescuing cattle/sheep/horses. Now in town so a lot less work
Just an addendum: Power to Gympie’s only water treatment plant at Jones Hill has failed and a drinking water crisis is developing.