A FLOOD alert has been issued for the Sunshine Coast and hinterland as heavy rain intensifies in southeast Queensland.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned that overnight rainfalls of more than 100mm were likely to cause flash flooding and raise stream levels.
"There`s more rain on the way through that part as well, which is going to push through Brisbane later today," senior forecaster Vikash Prasad said.
Flash flooding was also possible on the Gold Coast later today as the rain moved down the coast, he said.
The rain is the result of a trough moving onto the coast from the east, which has also caused dangerous surf for much of the southeast.
Beaches on the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast will be closed today.
SES crews sandbagged areas at Bli Bli on the Sunshine Coast overnight, while there were a small number of calls for leaking roofs near Caloundra and in Brisbane`s north, an Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) spokesman said.
The rain is good news for the region`s parched dams, with the Somerset catchment north of Brisbane receiving the best of the overnight falls.
SEQ Water has said consistent falls of up to 45mm are needed before levels begin to rise.
By 6am (AEST) today, the Wivenhoe catchment had received up to 15mm, the bureau said.
The rain is predicted to weaken to showers tomorrow.
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