As expected, there is now a Severe Weather Warning in place for Heavy Rainfall expected to arrive this afternoon and evening - with 24 hour totals of 50-150mm possible.
UPDATE: See our 10pm update with the latest Severe Weather info
The heaviest falls are currently around the Sunshine Coast hinterland with 70mm recorded in 3 hours up to 9:30am.
We're checking with the City of Gold Coast and the Queensland State Emergency Service to see if sandbags are being made available to Gold Coast residents - we'll keep you updated via Twitter and Facebook as further information comes available.
A copy of the latest warning is posted below, however always check the Bureau's website for the latest updates
__________
SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
for HEAVY RAINFALL
For people in the Wide Bay and Burnett, Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Southeast Coast and parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields and Capricornia Forecast Districts.
for HEAVY RAINFALL
For people in the Wide Bay and Burnett, Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Southeast Coast and parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields and Capricornia Forecast Districts.
Issued at 9:47 am Thursday, 27 March 2014.
Synoptic Situation:
A deepening surface trough extends from the central interior into the western Darling Downs. The trough will drift southeast during the next 24 hours, with the associated cloud band expected to contract off the southeast coast during Friday. A deep, moist east to northeast flow extends across southern central and southeastern districts into the trough.
Areas of heavy rain, which may lead to flash flooding, are expected to extend from central districts south of Gladstone through the Wide Bay and Burnett, the Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Southeast Coast districts from the north during today. 24 hour totals of 50 to 150mm are likely, with some isolated heavier falls expected.
At 9:30am the heaviest rainfall was occurring over the Capricornia district south of Gladstone and on the Sunshine Coast. Cooloolabin Dam on the Sunshine Coast hinterland recorded 70mm in the 3 hours to 9:30am.
The heavy rain band should contract off the southeast coast Friday morning. Shower and thunderstorm activity is expected in the wake of the cloud band through southeast districts on Friday afternoon and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings will be issued as necessary.
Locations which may be affected include Seventeen Seventy, Taroom, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Kingaroy, Gympie, Goondiwindi, Dalby, Toowoomba, Warwick, Stanthorpe, the Lockyer Valley, the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Severe weather is no longer occurring in the Maranoa and Warrego district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:
* Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.
* Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.
The next warning is due to be issued by 3:50 pm.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 219. The Bureau and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.