Brisbane faces Heaviest Rainfall since 2022 floods

Brisbane faced its heaviest rainfall since the 2022 floods on Friday, as a tropical cyclone crossed the Northern Territory-Queensland border, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

The Bureau reported that rainfall was 184 millimetres of rain in 24 hours. The downpour flooded streets, submerged cars and overflowed rivers. The cyclone is expected to continue through the weekend. 

In the Brisbane suburb of Rosalie, 197 millimetres of rain was recorded and there were, 189 millimetres in Mt Cootha, 173 millimetres in Bowen Hills, and over 160 millimetres around the city this morning. 

One fatality was reported when a woman's car was swept away by floodwaters at Malbon River, near Cloncurry Duchess Road, on Friday afternoon. 

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services told 7news that they received 58 calls for help between midnight and 8 a.m. due to floodwater and roofs collapsing. 

In 2022, heavy rain in Brisbane killed at least 13 people and flooded more than 23,400 properties. The highest flood level reached 3.85 metres on Feb. 28, 2022, which was the second-highest level since the 4.46-metre peak recorded in 2011.

In a statement to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Brisbane City Councillor Fiona Cunningham said that residents were unable to receive weather alerts for hours after the first thunderstorm warning was issued. The city’s weather alert system, Weatherzone, was assured to be fixed after the technical error. 

Naura Miyantari, a university student, experienced the flood while on her way to a class on Friday morning. She said that there was no clear warning about the weather conditions. Due to the heavy rainfall and flood, her plans for the day were delayed and cancelled. 

“There were a few accidents down the road and road closures. The weather alert should have been more accurate in predicting the weather and alerting residents of when the rain will persist,” said Miyantari. 

Meanwhile, Aiden Jiang, a waiter at Sunny Doll Sushi and Cuisine, said that Brisbane weather is too difficult to predict after living 15 years in the city. He prefers to anticipate the weather himself based on his experience. 

“There were fewer customers than usual on Friday. Brisbane does not have as many rainfalls as other cities in Australia, but once they do, people stay at home and the city shuts down,” said Jiang. 

As of now, local authorities have acknowledged that it may take two days for the water from the flooded areas to flow back into the gulf communities.