Flooding rains lash Australia’s east coast

Northern parts of New South Wales and the south east of Queensland have been hardest hit, with state emergency services being called upon to help those affected.

In Bellingen, northern New South Wales, Lavender’s Bridge had to be closed due to a river bursting its banks. Around 700 people were isolated as a result of the bridge closure, with people having to be rescued by boat and helicopter.

Further north in south east Queensland, roads and homes have flooded by intense rainfall. The state capital Brisbane has also been hit, with homes evacuated due to the flood risk.

The heavy rain along Australia’s east coast is being caused by a brisk easterly wind, bringing in plenty of moisture from the ocean. As the air rises and condenses, it forms cloud, rain and thunderstorms.

A considerable contributing factor to the flooding has been the intensity of the rain, with some places recording a lot of rainfall in a relatively short space of time.

Brisbane had 72mm of rain in 24 hours up until Tuesday evening local time, with some places recording even more.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has numerous severe weather warnings in force for thunderstorms and flash flooding.

Torrential downpours are likely to continue for the next few days, although the intensity of the rainfall may ease slightly towards the end of the week.