Man found dead in floodwaters in southern Queensland as state is battered by heavy rain

A man has been found dead in floodwaters on Queensland’s Fraser Coast, as the state is battered by heavy rain and flash flooding.

Emergency services were called to Smothering Creek at Boompa Road in Boompa about 11am (12pm AEDT) after a man was found unresponsive in the water.

Authorities arrived to find the 57-year-old man dead at the scene.

An investigation into his death has been launched and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

The man’s death comes as residents face dangerous flood conditions across Queensland.

Six campers have been rescued after becoming stranded by rising waters in Queensland’s Southern Downs as heavy rain drenched the region.

Three men and three women, aged between 26 and 71, became trapped inside the grounds on Tullamaville Road at Leyburn earlier on Monday.

All six people were saved without injury by swiftwater rescue crews.

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Rescuers also helped a driver from their submerged vehicle at Rosenthal Heights, and another person who was trapped on a sandbank in floodwater at Dugandan.

Authorities are reminding people to take extra care with the potential for more extreme weather on Monday, including damaging winds, hail and further flooding.

The Bureau of Meteorology has cancelled severe thunderstorm alerts for Ipswich, Logan, Scenic Rim, Gold Coast, Redland City and Brisbane but there are warnings of more severe conditions in coming hours.

Queensland has been drenched for the past week, with some south-eastern regions recording more than 200mm of rain.

A watch and act warning for flash flooding was in place for Laidley and Glenore Grove in the Lockyer Valley on Monday afternoon and flood warnings for river and creek catchments across the state.

Parts of the Sunshine Coast hinterland have seen up to 500mm of rain.

There is a risk of severe thunderstorms over a large area spanning from Coffs Harbour in northern NSW to the south-east Queensland coast, the bureau says.

The downpour has triggered major flooding in some areas, and warnings continue, including for the Mary, Condamine and Warrego rivers.

Meanwhile, the SES has also responded to 67 call outs since Sunday afternoon.

They included a woman who was rescued from her car after driving into floodwaters in Warwick at 3.25am on Monday who was pulled to safety by officers.

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Emergency services are advising people to park cars undercover away from trees; secure all doors and windows; keep asthma medications close by due to potential asthma attacks triggered by storms; keep mobile phones charged; put your pets somewhere safe: and don’t drive in dangerous conditions unless it’s an emergency.

The good news is relief is within sight. The bureau says the severe thunderstorm risk over south-east Queensland is forecast to contract to the state’s centre from Tuesday.