Queensland hit by flash flooding

Vast areas of Queensland are underwater and the rains are continuing to pour as the remains of Tropical Cyclone Oswald cross the state.

The tropical cyclone powered through the Gulf of Carpentaria and slammed into the north of Queensland. It started to disintegrate as it hit land. The winds began to ease, but the rain continued to pour.

The remains of the storm then headed south, down the coast of Queensland. Although the system is no longer a cyclone, it continues to suck plenty of moisture in from the Coral Sea, dumping it on the eastern parts of the State.

Rivers have flooded and some roads have been washed away. The flood waters have isolated some towns, with Rockhampton on Thursday experiencing its biggest daily downpour since 1939.

Samual Hill, a settlement half way between Brisbane and Townsville on the east coast of Queensland, recorded 370mm of rain in 24 hours. This is more rain than they normally see in the entire month of January.

The system is continuing to creep southwards. Over the next 24 to 48 hours it is expected to drench Brisbane, possibly bring as much as 200mm of rain in a 6 hour period. This would certainly cause widespread flooding.