Multiple flood rescues in Queensland as rapidly rising waters trap drivers

Authorities are urging motorists not to drive through floodwaters, as Queensland emergency services remain run off their feet rescuing people caught up in the flooding chaos.

A couple who were taking a break on their road trip through the Sunshine Coast's Nambour region have narrowly escaped what could have been a disaster.

The pair woke from a five-hour rest to find their van submerged in rising floodwater.

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A couple have been rescued from rising floodwaters at the Sunshine Coast in QLD after they parked their car for a five hour pit-stop. Rescue operations are at large across the East Coast as floods in NSW and QLD continue to put lives at risk.

"There was literally one puddle, sweetie, one puddle," one of the van's occupants told 9News.

"We thought fine, went up, parked.

"Five hours later, we woke up to keep going – water everywhere.

"Look at it."

The couple was rescued by emergency services and no one was hurt.

https://twitter.com/JoshBavas/status/1496958381944233986?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) has attended more than 30 swiftwater rescues over the last 24 hours as heavy rain lashes the state.

Deputy Commissioner of QFES Mark Roche said people shouldn't underestimate the strength of floodwaters.

"This is a serious event. A life-threatening event," Mr Roche said at a press conference.

"We're actually seeing footage of people driving into floodwaters."

Deputy Commissioner of QFES Mark Roche speaks to reporters at a press conference.

Mr Roche said this was "disappointing", urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

One driver made a lucky escape after driving through floodwaters at Rocksberg near Caboolture.

Sharing a photo of a white car partially submerged a witness wrote: "Very lucky escape for the driver of this car after it slid into a creek near Caboolture.

It's understood the driver called emergency services but managed to free himself from the vehicle.

The driver of this car made a lucky escape near Caboolture, Queensland.

The extreme weather event has forced the closures of all beaches on the Gold Coast.

The City of Gold Coast announced the closures on social media, writing: "All Gold Coast beaches are closed today due to the unstable conditions close to shore, with strong currents and rips making it dangerous for swimmers."

https://twitter.com/BronteGildea/status/1497041220040015872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw The Gold Coast has closed all beaches as a slow-moving trough sweeps across Queensland. Floodwater has swallowed Flying Fox Bridge, Upper Coomera Road, south west of the Gold Coast.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) issued several warnings for life-threatening storms and flash floods for people in Yandina, Conondale and Nambour.

"Intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is likely," BoM warned.

https://twitter.com/BOM_Qld/status/1496990701527212036

It comes hours after BoM issued a storm warning for people in parts of Gympie, Somerset, Sunshine Coast and Noosa Council Areas.

"These thunderstorms are slow moving. Very dangerous thunderstorms are forecast," it warned.

Heavy rainfall totals have been recorded over the past 24 hours as severe weather impacted the south-east.

"The highest total was 463mm at Old Range Road," the BoM said.

Cooran recorded 133mm in two hours to 6.15am.

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Pomona recorded 106mm in the one hour to 7.30am.

BoM forecasts predict the rain will start to ease from tomorrow.

A large part of Queensland stretching from the north of Bundaberg to the south of Brisbane is bracing for more torrential rain.

Severe weather and storms warnings are in place for parts of Wide Bay and Burnett, Southeast Coast and parts of Darling Downs and Granite Belt Forecast Districts.

The entire east coast is shrouded in clouds as low pressure systems form over the Northern Territory.

"Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is forecast to continue over parts of Southeast Queensland today and potentially through Saturday morning," the BoM wrote.

"Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 and 120 mm are likely, reaching up to 180 mm over areas east of Gympie to Jimboomba.

"Locally intense rainfall leading to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is possible with thunderstorms during this period, particularly over areas north of Brisbane.

"Six-hourly rainfall totals in excess of 300 mm are possible."

A number of flood watches are in place across the state with Eyre Creek, Georgina River the lower Burnett River, Stuart and Boyne Rivers, Mary River, Tinana and Six Mile creeks, the Paroo River and the Stanley River of the most concern.

Amid the threat, there are fears Gympie could be split in two.

Cascading water is seen in the Gympie region, amid fears the city could be split in two if more rain falls.

The area has been hard hit with rain, receiving the state's highest rainfall total – Mt Wolvi, near Gympie, recorded 425mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on Wednesday.

The second death of the flood emergency was also recorded.

The body of missing motor cyclist Phil Lambert, 54, was discovered at Cedar Pocket, in the Gympie Region.

It's believed the father of three hadn't seen the rising floods when driving through the area on Wednesday morning and was hit by a torrent of rushing water.

It comes after the body of woman was found in her submerged vehicle at Belli Park, Sunshine Coast.