Queensland man dies in creek after days of heavy storms
Flood waters stranded six campers in the Southern Downs while record rainfall totals were recorded across the state.
By Haruka Mori ·
A man was found dead in a flooded creek in Queensland on Monday.
Police declared the man dead after emergency services located him unresponsive in Smothering Creek on Boompa Road. The call came in shortly after 11:00 a.m. local time. Police have opened an investigation and will submit a report to the coroner.
The death occurred during a period of intense weather that affected large parts of the state. Torrential rain fell from Thursday through Monday. This caused flooding on many rivers and roads in the south and east. Police reported flash flooding at Laidley Creek and Glenore Grove in the Lockyer Valley. Some roads in that area were closed.
In the Southern Downs region, flood waters stranded six campers at a public campground in Leyburn. Queensland Fire and Rescue Swiftwater crews received the call for help at 7:45 a.m. on Monday. By 11:15 a.m., the crew had moved the group to safety. The group included three men aged 71, 47, and 26, and two women aged 68 and 26. Police said none of the campers sustained physical injuries.
Rainfall totals for the four-day period reached historic levels in several locations. Blackdown Tableland near Rockhampton recorded 439.4 millimeters. Lower Springbrook near the Gold Coast logged 325.2 millimeters. Nambour near the Sunshine Coast received 314.2 millimeters. Brooweena inland of K'gari recorded 299.6 millimeters.
Meteorologist Angus Hines described the weather system as unusual. He noted that widespread rain bands and cooler temperatures were driven by conditions in the higher atmosphere. On Sunday evening, a fast-moving storm band connected southern Queensland to Bass Strait. Strong winds high in the atmosphere pushed the system toward the east coast. Hines said these steering winds tapered off overnight over the Darling Downs.
Flood warnings remain active for several waterways. These include Warrill Creek and the Bremer River in the Lockyer Valley. Warnings also cover the Macintyre and Moonie rivers in the south, and the Mary River near the Sunshine Coast. Western Queensland is on alert for the Warrego River at Charleville, the Bulloo River at Quilpie, and the Barcoo River at Blackall. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts a return to typical spring weather as the week progresses.
Source: The Guardian
