Six campers have been rescued from Queensland floodwaters after waking to find their campsite surrounded by water at Leyburn, near Toowoomba.
Emergency crews were called to the public campground on Tullamaville Road at about 7.45am on Monday, following a night of rising floodwaters.
The group consisted of three men aged 71, 47 and 26, two women aged 68, and another woman aged 26. Queensland Fire and Rescue swiftwater crews brought all six people to safety at about 11.15am.
Police said there were no reports of physical injuries among the campers.
With wet weather continuing across parts of the region, officers urged people to take extra care and avoid unnecessary risks near floodwaters.
“Motorists are urged to remember — If it’s flooded, forget it. Never drive through floodwater, as conditions can change quickly and the depth and current may be difficult to judge,” police said.
Severe thunderstorms forecast across Queensland
Further severe thunderstorms are expected across north-east New South Wales and southern and central Queensland into Tuesday, after days of heavy rain and storms.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned that the weather systems could bring renewed flash flooding. Senior forecaster Jonathan How said severe storms were possible across south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales, bringing heavy rainfall, damaging winds and large hail.
While Brisbane could also see severe thunderstorms, Mr How said the greatest risk was further west, including around Toowoomba.
“Heavy rain and damaging winds remain a risk across much of Queensland on Tuesday,” he said, adding that severe thunderstorms could remain possible across parts of south-east Queensland, Capricornia and the Central Highlands on Wednesday.
Multiple flood warnings remained current in Queensland on Monday afternoon following the recent rainfall, with more wet weather expected.
“Because the ground is so sodden, it’s not actually taking too much to start to see these rivers and creeks, as well as drains, rise quite quickly,” Mr How said.
He urged people to check the latest forecasts and warnings before travelling, noting that a number of moderate flood warnings were in place.
