Severe flooding continues to impact parts of north and far north Queensland with flood warnings remaining in place as a major highway begins to reopen.
More than 340mm of flooding rain fell in six hours in some areas amid widespread falls of up to 100mm.
Floodwaters trapped two people in their car in the Whitsundays, prompting a rescue operation south of Airlie Beach on the Bruce Highway late on Friday.
Parts of the Bruce Highway were closed on Saturday (file photo). (Evan Schwarten/AAP PHOTOS)
Critical sections of the major arterial road were closed throughout Saturday with the highway reopening around 10am on Sunday.
The deluge triggered a string of flood warnings that remain in place, including for the Herbert River, the Haughton River catchment and the Don and Bohle rivers.
Bruce Highway has reopened in North Queensland! 📣— Transport and Main Roads Queensland (@TMRQld) Please be advised that the Bruce Highway at Goorganga Creek Bridge and Thompson Creek, Lethebrook have reopened, with lane restrictions in place. pic.twitter.com/txDZifn5NbDecember 21, 2024
A flood watch has been issued for the north tropical coast and parts of the central coast, which includes the Daintree, Mossman and Barron rivers.Â
The wet weather system began to make its way across the tropical coast offshore of the Whitsunday Islands on Saturday.
The Bureau of Meteorology said the trough will continue to move eastwards and further offshore over coming days but catchments across the flood watch area are wet from recent heavy rainfall and saturated in parts.
⛈�— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) #Queensland Thunderstorm FORECAST for TOMORROW (Sun 22/12): Thunderstorms possible north of #Ayr, and in western and far southern Queensland. Severe thunderstorms with a risk of heavy rainfall are possible north of about #Ingham. Forecast details https://t.co/oQJP0oAXFT pic.twitter.com/REuHBeTaLEDecember 21, 2024
Sunday will bring isolated to scattered showers and the chance of a thunderstorm in northern and far northern Queensland, north of about Mackay to Hughenden.Â
Possible severe thunderstorms with a risk of heavy rainfall was forecast north of Ingham, while heavy rainfall with storms has also been predicted north of Townsville and south of about Weipa.
Thunderstorms are possible north of Ayr, and in western and far southern Queensland.Â
The wet weather system will not be as heavy as recent days, the bureau said.
A gale warning is in place for Great Barrier Reef Offshore and a strong wind warning has been issued for the Townsville and Mackay coasts.