Parts of south-east Queensland to end the year with a bang as severe storm warning issued

Severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued for parts of south-east Queensland, which looks set to end 2024 with a bang.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued alerts for parts of Ipswich, Scenic Rim, Southern Downs, Toowoomba, Lockyer Valley and Logan Council Areas on Tuesday afternoon, warning of severe thunderstorms likely to produce heavy rainfall.

BOM warns that these heavy rains could lead to flash flooding.

“(The storms) are forecast to affect Boonah and Leyburn by 2.50pm and Mulgowie and the area west of Warwick by 3.20pm,” BOM said.

“A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for parts of the Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Southeast Coast districts.”

They said a surface trough in a moist and unstable air mass is leading to severe thunderstorms in the southeastern quarter of Queensland on Tuesday afternoon.

“This activity is expected to continue into the evening.”

Other locations which may be affected include Warwick, Gatton, Boonah, Allora, Clifton, Pittsworth and Laidley.

Emergency services advise people to park your car undercover away from trees, to close doors and windows and to keep asthma medications close by.

Make sure mobile phones are charged and put your pets somewhere safe and make sure they can be identified in case they get lost.

Residents are not advised to drive unless necessary due to dangerous conditions during storms.

The next warning is due to be issued by 3.25pm.

The storm warnings come after storms and heavy rain lashed parts of the state on Monday evening.

Streets in Kingaroy were flooded, and the town recorded its highest ever December rainfall.

The Queensland Fire Department said they were called to three floodwater rescues overnight.

One rescue included three campers left stranded in floodwater near Toogoom on the Fraser Coast.