“The rivers over the southeast tend to react more quickly [to heavy rainfall], so those rivers will react over the course of days, but the inland rivers will take days, and even weeks, to move [water] through,” Collopy said.
Major flood warnings remain in place for the Condamine and Bremer rivers, and the Laidley, Lockyer and Warrill creeks.
A minor flood warning remains in place for the Brisbane River, with the city gauge just tipping the 1.7-metre threshold after high tide on Saturday morning. It’s expected to do so again on Sunday.
There were a number of evacuations in the Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim areas into Saturday, with water entering properties and businesses in the towns of Laidley and Warwick.
Chelepy said as floodwaters eased, disaster management teams would go in to help locals clean up.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Assistant Commissioner Andrew Short said 14 water rescues had been carried out into Saturday morning, although not all were swiftwater rescues.
In Brisbane, a man was pulled from the roof of his car in floodwaters at Brookfield overnight as heavy rain caused local creeks to rise.
Swiftwater crews also carried out a dramatic rescue of four people trapped on the roof of a car near Warwick on Friday night, with the Condamine River cutting off the town and threatening low-lying homes.
At Laidley, rescue crews saved a woman from her car, which had become trapped in floodwaters.
Another woman was forced to give birth at a public oval being used as an evacuation point at Agnes Water near Gladstone on Friday night, before mother and baby were flown to hospital.
Queensland Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan said he was very happy with Queenslanders’ behaviour during the current weather event, but urged people not to take any risks.
“There is some significant risks around those river catchments, and also in coastal areas,” he said.
“So I’m pleading with everyone, although it looks like the rain might be stopping for the moment or easing at the moment, please keep your kids out of rivers and creeks.”
All Queensland beaches have been closed for the weekend due to heavy surf and possible coastal erosion.
All ferry services in Brisbane have also been suspended this weekend, and a review will be conducted ahead of a decision on whether they will run on Monday.
Ryan said all schools should be open on Monday unless they were directly affected or cut off by floodwaters.
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