Severe thunderstorms struck inland towns on Wednesday night bringing rainfall totals of nearly 100mm in just one hour.
Lesdale, 700km west of Brisbane, had 92mm of rain in just an hour while nearby Charleville was soaked by 68mm.
🌦�Showers across — Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) #Queensland, possible heavy falls #CentralCoast. ⛈�Thunderstorms possible northwest of #Roma to #Rockhampton. ⛅Partly cloudy far southwest. 🌡�Cold daytime temperatures #CentralHighlands. Continuing heatwave #Peninsula. Full details https://t.co/oQJP0oAXFT pic.twitter.com/Yg4Sxr4eelNovember 20, 2024
A minor flood warning has been issued for the Warrego River at Charleville after the sudden downpour.
The slow-moving trough is now tracking towards the state's central coast between Mackay and Rockhampton.
Mackay was already drenched by 70mm of rain in 24 hours on Wednesday.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned the trough will deepen over the next 24 hours, bringing heavier rainfall totals of over 200mm on Thursday.
Some communities between Serena and Eungella are being told to brace for falls up to 300mm.
The heavy rainfall could create dangerous driving conditions and shut access routes.
The bureau also warned rivers and creeks could reach flood thresholds.
"Areas of flash flooding are certainly possible throughout the day, anywhere that the higher rainfall may accumulate," meteorologist Helen Reid said.
Trees, crops and property could also be damaged.
Assistant Commissioner Shane Chelepy has urged motorists not to drive through water. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)
State Disaster Co-ordinator Assistant Commissioner Shane Chelepy urged Queenslanders not to drive through floodwaters after a spate of rescues during recent wet weather.
"We have already seen a number of swift-water rescues right across southeast Queensland of people who are driving into floodwaters," he said.
"We lose more lives during a disaster season by the reckless behaviour of driving through water than we do from the disasters.
"So please, if it's flooded, forget it."
Disaster resources have been deployed to the central region in case of severe weather impacts on Thursday.
The central coast deluge will be short-lived as the heavy rain is pushed offshore into the Coral Sea on Friday, with a few showers remaining along the saturated coastline.
35°C