Queensland floods: Man dies in Boompa creek, six campers rescued

Queensland police confirmed the death of a man found in Smothering Creek at Boompa on the Fraser Coast on Monday morning. Emergency services received the call shortly after 11 a.m. when a man was located unresponsive in the flood waters. An investigation has been opened, and police will submit a report to the coroner.

The death occurred during a period of intense weather that brought repeated storms and heavy rain to the state from Thursday through Monday. The unusual system caused many rivers and roads in the south and east of Queensland to flood. Police reported flash flooding at Laidley Creek and Glenore Grove in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane, which forced the closure of several roads.

Further south, six people were stranded at a public campground in Leyburn, located in the Southern Downs region. Queensland Fire and Rescue Swiftwater crews responded to the emergency call at 7:45 a.m. on Monday. By 11:15 a.m., the team had safely extracted the group. The rescued individuals included three men, aged 71, 47, and 26, and two women, aged 68 and 26. Police stated that no physical injuries were reported.

Rainfall totals were substantial across the state during the four-day event. Blackdown Tableland, near Rockhampton, recorded the highest total with 439.4mm. Lower Springbrook, near the Gold Coast, measured 325.2mm, while Nambour, near the Sunshine Coast, received 314.2mm. Brooweena, inland of K'gari, logged 299.6mm.

Meteorologist Angus Hines described the weather system as unusual, noting that widespread rain bands and cooler temperatures were driven by conditions in the higher parts of the atmosphere. On Sunday evening, a fast-moving storm band linked southern Queensland to Bass Strait. Hines said the steering wind that pushed the system tapered off overnight over the Darling Downs.

Flood warnings remain active for several waterways. In the Lockyer Valley, warnings are in place for Warrill Creek and the Bremer River. The Macintyre and Moonie rivers in the south, along with the Mary River near the Sunshine Coast, are also under warning. Western Queensland is on alert for the Warrego River at Charleville, the Bulloo River at Quilpie, and the Barcoo River at Blackall.

The Bureau of Meteorology forecast that conditions will shift toward typical spring patterns as the week progresses. Hot and humid days are expected to be replaced by more subdued afternoon showers and storms.