Severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall smash southeast Queensland, causing flash flooding, blackouts and multiple rescues
Thousands of revellers were forced to flee a concert for shelter at a nearby carpark while elsewhere there were blackouts and multiple flood rescues as thunderstorms smashed large swathes of southeast Queensland at the weekend.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued a severe thunderstorm warning on Sunday afternoon, predicting damaging winds, large hail and heavy rainfall.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Queensland storms cause chaos.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Brisbane concert-goers evacuated the outdoor Riverstage venue in the city centre due to intense lightning activity caused by the storms shortly before 7pm.
Canadian singer Tate McRae had yet to begin her performance when audience members were advised to seek shelter in an undercover parking lot near QUT.
However the concert went ahead as planned after the storm passed, with crowds allowed back into the venue shortly before 8.30pm.
Three people were also rescued in separate flash flooding events as the storms rolled through on Sunday night.
Two cars were driving on the corner of City Rd and George St in Beenleigh when they were both caught up in floodwaters about 8.40pm on Sunday, after a reported 78mm of rain fell.
Emergency service rescue teams retrieved the two drivers, who were assessed by paramedics but were uninjured.
Earlier in the night another car was also found trapped in floodwaters on Knapp Creek Rd, Knapp Creek, about 6.50pm.
The driver was rescued by emergency crews and declined transport to hospital.
“We’ve seen another afternoon with lots of thunderstorm activity,” meteorologist Helen Reed said.
“Rainfall totals reached about 25 to 50mm south of Brisbane with Some localised rainfall of up to 90mm.”
The top rainfall totals included 90mm recorded at Carneys Creek, 81mm at Rosewood and 78mm at Bahrs Scrub.
Reed said the storms were being caused by a surface trough mixed with tropical moisture and warm temperatures, making a “good recipe for thunderstorms”.
The storm caused power outages across the state’s southeast, with over 9000 properties affected.
“We’re expecting more thunderstorms (Monday) afternoon through the Darling Downs, Maranoa, the Granite Belt and down into NSW.
“(However) storms are more likely south of Brisbane.”
Originally published on 7NEWS
