Queensland Creek Death Amid Record Rain
A man died in Smothering Creek while six campers were rescued after a weather system delivered historic rainfall totals to the state.
By Layla Fontaine ·
Queensland police confirmed the death of a man found in Smothering Creek on Boompa Road on the Fraser Coast on Monday. Emergency services received reports of an unresponsive male shortly after 11:00 a.m. Local officials declared him dead at the scene. An investigation into the circumstances of the death has begun, with police scheduled to file a report for the coroner.
The death occurred during a four-day period of heavy rain that began on Thursday and extended through Monday. This weather system produced some of the highest rainfall totals recorded in the state. Blackdown Tableland near Rockhampton accumulated 439.4 millimeters of rain. Other locations also recorded substantial totals, including 325.2 millimeters at Lower Springbrook near the Gold Coast and 314.2 millimeters in Nambour near the Sunshine Coast. Brooweena, located inland from K'gari, measured 299.6 millimeters over the same period.
In the Southern Downs region, floodwaters stranded six campers at a public campground in Leyburn. Swiftwater crews from Queensland Fire and Rescue arrived at 7:45 a.m. on Monday to respond to the call for assistance. By 11:15 a.m., the team had safely extracted three men aged 71, 47, and 26, along with two women aged 68 and 26. Police reported no physical injuries among the rescued individuals.
The weather system generated widespread rain bands and cloud cover, accompanied by cooler temperatures and storm activity. Meteorologist Angus Hines attributed these conditions to dynamics in the higher parts of the atmosphere. On Sunday evening, a fast-moving storm band linked thunderstorms from southern Queensland to Bass Strait. Strong upper-level winds pushed this system toward the east coast before the steering winds tapered over the Darling Downs overnight.
Flooded rivers and roads affected the south and east of the state. Police reported flash flooding at Laidley Creek and Glenore Grove in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane, which led to road closures. Active flood warnings remain for Warrill Creek and the Bremer River in the Lockyer Valley. The Macintyre and Moonie rivers in the south, along with the Mary River near the Sunshine Coast, also carry active warnings. Western Queensland remains 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 patterns as the week progresses. Hot and humid days are expected to transition into more subdued afternoon showers and storms. This shift marks a departure from the intense rainfall recorded in the previous four days.
