Record rainfall kills man in Queensland creek, strands six campers

Queensland police confirmed a man died after being pulled from a creek on the Fraser Coast. Emergency services responded to Smothering Creek on Boompa Road shortly after 11 a.m. on Monday. The man was found unresponsive in the floodwaters. Police declared him dead at the scene and have opened an investigation. A report will be sent to the coroner.

The death occurred during a four-day period of heavy storms that began Thursday. An unusual weather system moved across the state, bringing repeated rain and flooding to the south and east. By early Monday, the Blackdown Tableland near Rockhampton had recorded 439.4 millimeters of rain. Other locations saw substantial totals, including 325.2 millimeters at Lower Springbrook and 314.2 millimeters in Nambour. Brooweena, located inland from K'gari, measured 299.6 millimeters.

In the Southern Downs region, Swiftwater crews from Queensland Fire and Rescue rescued six campers at a public campground in Leyburn. The team received the call for help at 7:45 a.m. on Monday. By 11:15 a.m., they had safely transported three men and two women from the floodwaters. The rescued individuals were aged 71, 47, 26, 68, and 26. Police reported no physical injuries among the group.

Flash flooding also affected the Lockyer Valley west of Brisbane on Monday. Police reported closures at Laidley Creek and Glenore Grove. Meteorologist Angus Hines described the atmospheric conditions as unusual. He noted that high-altitude winds drove the widespread rain bands and cooler temperatures. On Sunday evening, a fast-moving storm band linked southern Queensland to Bass Strait. Hines said this steering wind tapered off overnight over the Darling Downs.

Flood warnings remain active across several major river systems. Warrill Creek and the Bremer River in the Lockyer Valley are under watch. The Macintyre and Moonie rivers in the south, along with the Mary River near the Sunshine Coast, also have active alerts. 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 expects conditions to shift toward typical spring patterns as the week progresses. Hot and humid days are forecast to give way to more subdued afternoon showers and storms. The state continues to monitor water levels in affected regions.