Up to 250 millimetres of rain in 24 hours is possible for parts of Queensland as a slow-moving trough continues to track north, the weather bureau says.
Six-hourly rainfall totals of between 160 to 180mm are forecast, with Mackay on the state’s central coast and Sarina and Eungella set to be impacted.
Bureau of Meteorlogy senior forecaster Angus Hines said areas of south-west Queensland and the central coast had copped a drenching overnight.
“Inland in the Maranoa, Warrego and Charleville regions have had significant storms yesterday evening bringing intense rainfall,” he said.
Over the past 24 hours, Charleville received more than 90mm of rain while more than 184mm has been recorded upstream at Lesdale station.
A flood warning remains in place for the Warrego River. (ABC News: Danielle Lancaster)
A flood warning remains in place for the Warrego River with isolated intense heavy rainfall expected.
“Rivers and creeks in the area shot up very quickly in response to the rainfall,” Mr Hines said.
Rain ‘intense’ but welcome out west
Murweh Mayor Shaun Radnedge said there was a record amount of water passing through the Bradleys Gully diversion after yesterday’s rainfall.
Bradleys Gully diversion at Charleville on Thursday morning. (ABC News: Danielle Lancaster)
“It’s channelling all the water out into the Warrego River,” he said.
“At this point it’s at a height that there isn’t inundation throughout Charleville.”
The diversion system was implemented in 2013 to move excess water from the gully through to the Warrego River.
It’s a major test for the diversion with its highest flow on record since its construction, according to Murweh Shire Council.
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Mr Radnedge said any water from rainfall upstream near Augathella usually takes around four days to make its way to Charleville.
“The Warrego River has nothing in it at the moment, so we’re expecting things to channel through quite reasonably,” he said.
‘The water was lapping the gutters’
Since yesterday, Charleville has recorded 92mm of rain — more than double its average November monthly rainfall total.
Charleville resident Blue Booth lives alongside Bradleys Gully, with the water reaching just short of his fence line.
The Warrego River on Thursday morning. (ABC News: Danielle Lancaster)
Mr Booth said yesterday’s rain was “intense”, forcing him to shut his shop in town early.
“The water was lapping the gutters and coming up onto the footpath right throughout town,” he said.
“The council have been really good, they’ve unblocked all the drains to get rid of some of the excess water running around.”
He welcomed the rain, calling it much needed for nearby graziers and landowners.
“Hopefully it’ll bring prosperity to the town.”
Water has risen at Bradleys Gully at Charleville. (ABC News: Danielle Lancaster)
Matt Sargood from Drensmaine Station, near Tambo, said 112mm of rain had been recorded since yesterday morning.
“It couldn’t have been scripted any better,” Mr Sargood said.
“Our season has been great, I’m certainly not going to complain compared to the year before.”
The BOM said the system was expected to move offshore later today into early Friday morning.