The Gemfields town of Sapphire was inundated by floodwaters in the early hours of Wednesday morning following falls of up to 250mm in the region, with the SES conducting one swiftwater rescue.
Central Highlands Regional Council Mayor Kerry Hayes said Retreat Creek between the Capricorn Highway and the town of Sapphire peaked above major flood level at 9.8 metres early on Wednesday morning but has since subsided.
He had been advised everyone was safe.
"At this stage, we have to wait until the water recedes enough to get into the area to inspect the situation, which I do not expect to be for at least a couple of hours," he said.
"The Bureau of Metereology is expecting more rain to fall in the area this evening, so we urge anyone in the area to stay tuned to updates and follow instructions from emergency services personnel.
"As always, 'If it's flooded forget it', don't drive through flood water."
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, thunderstorms embedded in a broader rainband caused the flash flooding in areas west of Clermont and Emerald.
Stuart and Jacqueline Donaldson, Mt Ball, situated north west of Rubyvale on the Rubyvale-Clermont Road, were delighted to received 54mm on Tuesday, filling their dams.
However the situation took a turn for the worse when the heavens opened again on Tuesday evening and they received 254mm in just three hours, which caused their dam walls to give way, losing a lot of the water.
The Donaldsons managed to get their horses to higher ground and their cattle moved up onto their ridge country.
The bureau said more heavy falls embedded in thunderstorms were broadly possibly inland on Wednesday, but would become less widespread and tending more to showers and thunderstorms into Thursday.
It's all part of a welcome weather event that made its presence felt in parts of Queensland this week.
Richard and Sarah Cox, Cracow Station, Cracow, received 66mm on Tuesday night, giving them a total of 111mm for the week to Wednesday morning.
"This will certainly freshen up our body of grass, and our creeks are running and the dams filling," Mr Cox said.
Their latest rainfall was on the back of receiving 75mm over seven falls earlier.
Peter and Isabella Elmes, Plevna Downs, Augathella, received a further 87mm on Tuesday night sparking run-off into their dams.
In all, they have received 253mm in the past 10 days leaving them smiling.
Flood warnings
The BoM updated its flood watch to flood warnings on Wednesday afternoon, saying that minor flooding was expected on the Maranoa River at Mitchell, thanks to rainfall totals of between 50-100 mm across the Maranoa River and Bungil Creek catchments in the 24 hours to 9am Wednesday.
Further rainfall is possible over the next few days but is not expected to be significant enough to worsen the current flood situation.
Levels along Bungil Creek to Roma peaked below minor with renewed rises not expected at this stage. Rises and minor flooding are likely downstream of Roma throughout the remainder of Wednesday and into Thursday.
Minor flooding is likely along the Balonne River downstream of Surat later this week as floodwater from Bungil Creek and other tributaries move downstream.
The Balonne River at Warroo is currently at 3.35 metres (below minor) and steady. The river level at Warroo may exceed the minor flood level (9m) during the weekend. Predictions will be updated once a peak at Weribone is recorded.
Balonne River level rises are expected into the weekend as floodwater from the Maranoa and upper Balonne River catchments arrive. More detailed predictions will provided once upstream peaks are recorded.
In the Warrego catchment, the Warrego River at Augathella was at 4.22 metres and rising, with minor flooding. The river level may peak close to the moderate flood level (5m) overnight Wednesday into Thursday.
The Warrego River at Charleville was at 1.67 metres and rising, below the minor flood level (4m). The river level is expected to remain below the minor flood level during Wednesday.
Disruption to transport routes are likely within the flood warning areas.
Showery conditions are expected to persist throughout south east Queensland into the weekend and early next week, especially about coastal fringes.
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Helen Walker
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
