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Far North Queensland received a staggering 300mm of rainfall in just one day as a slow-moving weather trough made its way across the state.
The Daintree area experienced an intense downpour, accumulating between 300 and 400mm within 24 hours, with over 200mm falling in just six hours.
Residents of northern regions such as Cairns and Townsville can breathe a sigh of relief, as most of the heavy rain has subsided and the severe weather warning has been lifted.
Currently, the tropical low is shifting towards Capricornia and Wide Bay, including nearby inland areas today, with a forecast to reach South East Queensland by tomorrow.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a warning about the potential for “significant widespread flooding” in the coming days, with regions like the Sunshine Coast expected to receive up to 200mm of rain over the next 72 hours.
Heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding is likely in Bundaberg, Hervey Bay and Gladstone.
Gladstone was already battered by almost 130mm in six hours overnight.
“We are going to see the moisture associated with the remnants of this tropical low get spread across broad parts of eastern, central and the northern interior of Queensland,” senior meteorologist Harry Clark said.
Brisbane is forecast to receive between 10 to 20mm of rain today, 15 to 70mm tomorrow and between 10 and 60mm on Monday.
A severe weather warning is in place for heavy rainfall in the Gulf Country, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders and North West districts.
Locations such as Georgetown, Hughenden, Richmond, Croydon, Gregory Springs and Forsayth could see six-hourly rainfall totals between 70 and 100 mm, with isolated totals up to 130 mm possible.
A flood watch is in place for most of Queensland, with major riverine flood warnings earmarked for the Flinders River, Thomson River and Coopers Creek, and Georgina River and Eyre Creek.
The torrential downpour saw the Daintree River swell to 13 metres on Thursday night, causing the local ferry in the Douglas Shire near Port Douglas to tear off its moorings.
“Our ferry came off its moorings and collided with another boat and pontoon,” Douglas Shire Council Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said.
“At the moment we’re waiting for the river to become safe so crews can go in and assess the damage.
“It’s a big shock to our community because that’s the only form access they have to Mossman and Port Douglas.”
Major flooding inundates Katherine
Meanwhile, Katherine in the Northern Territory is facing its worst flood disaster in decades.
The Katherine River has already surpassed flood levels seen in 2000 at Katherine Bridge, where heights of 18.37 metres have been recorded.
That could surge as high as 19.20 metres by this evening, the Bureau has warned.
In nearby Nitmiluk, the river has flooded above the April 2006 flood level of 9.5m and rapidly rising.
Further rainfall is expected today, which may cause the river to swell even more.
A severe weather warning for the western Top End has been cancelled after heavy rainfall eased.
Parts of Arnhem Land were hit by between 100 to 155mm of rain in just six hours overnight.
Major flooding is expected along the Daly River from this afternoon.
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