25 February 2013

Get set for another big wet in SEQ

BOM Radar SEQ 6.48am 25 Feb 2013

Heavy rain is falling across southeast Queensland in what is expected to be the start of a 48-hour deluge.

A monster wild weather system set in over the southeast corner in the early hours of Monday, as a surface trough moved across the coast.

The bureau has warned of strong winds and flash flooding, as up to 200 millimetres of rain is expected to fall in parts of the southeast in the next 24 hours.

Up to 100 millimetres of intense rain could fall within a six-hour period in coastal areas, the bureau has warned.

"That could cause some problems," Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Ken Kato said.

In Brisbane, more than 25 millimetres fell within one hour from 5.30am on Monday.

"The rain has really set in this morning," Mr Kato said.

The bureau renewed a severe weather warning for southeast Queensland as a surface trough made landfall early Monday morning.

The warning was issued for Gladstone, Gympie, Bundaberg, Kingaroy, Hervey Bay, Fraser Island, Brisbane, Ipswich, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast and adjacent hinterland areas.

The wet weather is likely to continue through to next weekend - the bureau is forecasting heavy rain through to Tuesday, with showers easing on Wednesday, returning Thursday and a possible and amplifying on Friday to a possible storm which could carry into the weekend.

To help mitigate the risk of flooding in the Brisbane River catchment Seqwater has increased the rate of release of water at Wivenhoe Dam to reduce levels from 89 per cent to the temporary full supply level of 88 per cent.

Colleges Crossing was closed on Sunday night as a result.

www.BrisbaneTimes.com.au

25.2.13