'Like nothing Australia has ever seen': 'Extreme' weather event to bring a month's worth of rain in less than two days - and the worst floods in 44 years

  • Extreme downpours are expected to hit this weekend with gales and flooding
  • Parts of central and western QLD will get a month's worth of rain in two days
  • Experts are warning 'nothing has ever been experienced like it in the state'

By BEN HILL FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: | Updated:

Extreme downpours are expected to hit this weekend as parts of Australia are in for their worst flooding in more than 40 years.  

Parts of central and western Queensland will get more rain this weekend than they usually receive for the entire month of March.

More than 90mm of rain is expected to fall in just six hours this weekend, with some areas predicted to be drenched with up to 300mm in 24 hours.

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The warning comes after a severe weather event dumped a month's worth of rain over the weekend

Extreme downpours are expected to hit this weekend as parts of Australia are in for their worst flooding in more than 40 years

Parts of central and western Queensland received more rain on the weekend than they usually receive for the entire month of March

Parts of central and western Queensland will get more rain this weekend than they usually receive for the entire month of March

The same spots average about 55mm for March, Weatherzone meteorologist Tom Hough said.

'There'll be some pretty decent falls for western and central Queensland, and there will be quite a lot of moisture associated with that,' he said. 

A severe weather warning has been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, as damaging winds and heavy rainfall are set to hit western Queensland.  

The big wet will be caused by a low pressure system lying over the northern interior of the state near Julia Creek. It is expected to slowly move west on Friday.

Heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding is expected to accompany the low and it will bring damaging gusts of wind.

Weather forecasters Higgins Storm Chasing are predicting an intense weather event.

'[The rain] could rival anything during the past 44 years. It may even be so significant that nothing has ever been experienced like it in this state,' they posted on Facebook.

Heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding is expected to accompany the low and it will bring damaging gusts of wind

Heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding is expected to accompany the low and it will bring damaging gusts of wind

'All of Western Queensland need to prepare for a potential Major Record Flood which is forecast to impact the area during the next five days.

'It could rival anything during the past 44 years, it may also be so significant that nothing has ever been experienced like it in this state.' 

Meanwhile the flooding has already begun in north Queensland, as the Ross River Dam in Townsville has swelled from 14 to 80 per cent capacity overnight following huge downpours. 

The Ross River Dam in Townsville swelled from 14 to 80 per cent capacity

Meanwhile the flooding has already begun in north Queensland, as the Ross River Dam in Townsville has swelled from 14 to 80 per cent capacity

Emergency services advised people to move their cars under cover and away from trees, secure loose outdoor items and to seek shelter indoors as the low makes its way west over Queensland

Emergency services are advising people to move their cars under cover and away from trees, secure loose outdoor items and to seek shelter indoors as the low makes its way west over Queensland

Emergency services are advising people to move their cars under cover and away from trees, secure loose outdoor items and to seek shelter indoors as the low makes its way west over Queensland.

Warnings have also been issued for downed trees and powerlines, while motorists are being advised to avoid driving through floodwaters.

Residents are also being warned to stay away from creeks and storm drains due to the risk they may overflow.

A number of flood warnings have also been issued for western Queensland rivers, at the Haughton River Catchment, Balonne River, Bohle River, Dawson River, Lower Herbert River, and the Burdekin and Gulf River catchments.

The mammoth downpour comes on the heels of Queensland's second-warmest February on record.

The swelling of rivers in Townsville comes after heavy downpours on Thursday night

The swelling of rivers in Townsville comes after heavy downpours on Thursday night

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