Queensland is on high alert as a dual threat of severe weather sweeps across the state, with significant flooding expected inland and damaging winds battering the coast. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a series of urgent warnings, urging residents and holidaymakers to prepare for hazardous conditions.
Coastal Warnings and Inland Flooding Concerns
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has active strong wind warnings for vast sections of the Queensland coastline and gulf waters over the weekend. On Saturday, warnings are in place for parts of the South East Gulf of Carpentaria, North East Gulf of Carpentaria, Capricornia Coast and K’gari Coast. The situation is forecast to worsen on Sunday, with the alert area expanding to include the Townsville Coast, Mackay Coast, Sunshine Coast Waters, Moreton Bay and Gold Coast Waters. These conditions are deemed hazardous for all marine activities.
Inland, the focus is on rising river levels. A Flood Watch remains current for parts of north-western Queensland and the north-east tropical coast, including the Diamantina catchment. Recent rainfall has already caused minor flooding in the Diamantina River area. At Diamantina Lakes, river levels have surpassed the Springvale-Diamantina Lakes Causeway and are predicted to stay high for several days. Further rain forecast for the upper catchment is likely to trigger additional river rises, keeping authorities on edge.
Holiday Chaos on the Gold Coast
The severe weather turned a family holiday into a scene of chaos at a Southport caravan park on the Gold Coast. Powerful winds tore through the park, lifting barbecues and loose items and hurling them into nearby cars and caravans. Triple M broadcaster Margaux Parker, who was holidaying at the park, described the terrifying suddenness of the event to Sunrise.
"We have been holidaying at the Gold Coast for 22 years in that very spot, and we’ve had storms before... but I don’t think anyone was quite prepared for that," Parker said. "It was really short and sharp and it came in fast and furious."
With the weather deteriorating rapidly during Christmas celebrations, the priority became rushing all children inside caravans for safety. Adults were left to desperately try and secure awnings and gazebos as the winds intensified. Emergency crews later assessed the damage and safety risks, with Parker unable to immediately return to her caravan.
Vigilance Urged as Conditions Persist
Authorities are continuing to monitor the evolving situation closely, particularly in the flood-prone areas of the state's north. Residents and visitors across Queensland are being urged to take immediate precautions:
- Stay across the latest BOM warnings and updates.
- Secure all loose items around homes and holiday accommodations.
- Avoid unnecessary travel, especially in marine warning zones and near rising rivers.
- Have an emergency plan ready if located in a flood watch area.
The combination of persistent rainfall and damaging winds presents a widespread challenge for emergency services. With conditions expected to remain dynamic over the coming days, the message from officials is clear: remain vigilant and do not underestimate the risks posed by this severe weather event.
