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Latest Comments:

Gee it is GREAT to see the rain. Fill all those dams in time for the next big dry. I would like to thank the lord for providing this deluge!
Posted by: Dave of Bundy 7:14pm today

How dare virgin blue divert their flights, i'll never fly with them again...
Posted by: Geoff 5:16pm today

You know what - three cheers for those that are brave enough to say what they think. I live here and hate it. Is there a more backwards place in the state. And your little melodramatic over-reactions are PROOF that the tongue in cheek comments are accurate. Please, celebrate the rain instead of crying about it. Hey, did anyone hear about the mini-cyclone and storms in Perth on Saturday???
Posted by: krt of brisbane 5:10pm today

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Flash flooding in Queensland`s southeast
Flights diverted, traffic badly disrupted
More on the flooding from the Courier-Mail

HOMES have been flooded and emergency crews have rescued at least half a dozen people stranded in flash flooding across southeast Queensland.

Some areas have received more than 200mm of rain in 24 hours.

Two teenagers trapped by floodwaters
Gallery

Reader pictures: Wild weather hits Queensland
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Rain or Shine? Check your local weather forecast

However, the region`s water authority is not confident it will be enough to fill dams and lift water restrictions.

Flooding was easing tonight as the worst-hit area, the Sunshine Coast, awaited the impact of high tide at 7pm (AEST).

More than 212mm fell at Nambour in 24 hours.

The falls were heaviest early this morning and brought widespread flash flooding throughout the north coast.

Two teenage girls needed to be rescued after playing in floodwater with friends at Cooroy, in the coast`s northern hinterland this morning.

Fire and rescue crews used a boat to rescue the girls, who became stranded in a tree.

Emergency services also rescued three cars and a mini-bus in separate incidents after they became caught by floodwaters.

In one incident, three female Dutch backpackers were travelling in a car through Worba Lane between Tewantin and Noosa today when they were caught in floodwaters.

Four people were forced sought refuge on the bonnet of their car after they became stuck in the swollen Petrie Creek, near Nambour.

Sunshine Coast mayor Bob Abbott warned residents to avoid floodwaters unless absolutely necessary.

"Anyone that drives into floodwaters in their vehicle is off their nut at the best of times," he told ABC Radio.

Mr Abbott said that for the first time in his memory the council had run out of "road closed" signs in the shire`s north.

"There was more water, local creek flooding than I have ever seen. There was water across the road in places I have never seen it," he said.

Authorities now fear roads may need to be closed near the banks of the Maroochy River as floodwaters and high tide combine late this afternoon.

An Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) spokeswoman said the State Emergency Service (SES) had received 378 calls for assistance by 3pm (AEST) today, more than 200 of which came from the Maroochy-Noosa region.

Brisbane also suffered flash flooding in areas after receiving between 60mm and 100mm in the past 24 hours.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Geoff Doueal said the low pressure system causing the rain was weakening as it moved south.

"There will be a clearance of higher cloud tomorrow, there will be a few showers around but not nearly as much as there has been today," he said.

SEQWater spokesman Mike Foster said that while significant rainfall had been recorded over the dam catchment areas, particularly Somerset Dam, more was needed to reach 40 per cent capacity.

Tight water limits will be eased when that threshold is reached.

Mr Foster said dams were around three per cent short of the mark and it would take an additional 40mm of "consistent and heavy rainfall" across the catchments to reach the target.

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