Torrential rain and flash flooding across south-east Queensland have prompted more than 540 calls for emergency help. Sheep Station Creek recorded the highest rainfall, at 343mm, followed by Caboolture and Morayfield. Emergency crews carried out more than 16 swiftwater rescues, including one of an elderly man clinging to his vehicle roof at Caboolture. Several schools closed on Friday, and many roads remain shut. The Bureau of Meteorology says the upper-level trough causing the downpours is moving out to sea, though rain will continue for several days.
City of Moreton Bay is urging residents to stay alert this weekend as more showers and storms are forecast for Saturday. Parts of the city received more than 270mm of rain in 24 hours, causing flash flooding and road closures. As of 10am, 34 council roads and five state-controlled roads were closed. Forty-eight streets were without waste collection due to flooding. Residents are told to avoid flooded roads, and the Groovin' in the Green event on Sunday 25 October has been cancelled.
Emergency crews responded to more than 300 calls for help across southeast Queensland in 24 hours after heavy rain caused flash flooding. Two campers were winched to safety near Mount Barney after floodwaters cut them off. Several drivers were also rescued from stranded cars. Parts of Morayfield were told to prepare to leave, and about a dozen schools closed on Thursday, with some staying shut into Friday. The Bureau of Meteorology says conditions are expected to ease from Tuesday, when a drier air mass should move in.
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More than a dozen schools remain closed across south-east Queensland after heavy rain caused flash flooding and hundreds of calls for help. The State Emergency Service responded to 277 call-outs on Thursday, and two campers were winched to safety at Mount Barney. A man was rescued from his sinking car at Morayfield by ABC reporter Will Murray and local resident Daniel Hainey. The Bureau of Meteorology says rain should ease from Friday morning, though isolated falls of up to 40 millimetres are possible, and flood warnings remain in place for some rivers.
Severe storms flooded southeast Queensland, with almost 300 millimetres of rain falling in 24 hours in the Moreton Bay region. Parts of Morayfield were told to prepare to leave. An elderly driver was rescued after being trapped by floodwaters at Rocksberg, west of Caboolture, and narrowly avoided being swept away. At least 14 schools across Moreton Bay were closed. The State Emergency Service responded to 277 callouts in eight hours. Flood warnings remain current in parts of the region.
Caboolture and surrounding areas in south-east Queensland have recorded more than 100mm of rain in just three hours. The Bureau of Meteorology measured 131mm at Caboolture's Short Street gauge in the three hours to 6.45am on Thursday, October 22. A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for parts of Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Somerset and the Sunshine Coast, with authorities warning of potentially life-threatening flash flooding. Motorists are urged to avoid driving through floodwaters, and residents are advised to monitor official warnings and council updates.
Moreton Bay Regional Council has told residents in Burpengary and Burpengary East to prepare to leave due to rising floodwaters. Heavy rain has caused flash flooding across southeast Queensland, with some areas receiving over 200mm in 12 hours. Police confirmed two overnight rescues by members of the public, and dozens of roads have closed. Morayfield State High School closed for normal classes. The Bureau of Meteorology says rain should ease during the afternoon and evening, but wet weather is expected to continue across the region.
Flash flooding across south-east Queensland has prompted rescues overnight, with several people pulled from floodwaters as heavy rain spread through central and southern parts of the state. Authorities have issued a watch and act, prepare to leave warning for areas of Burpengary and Burpengary East, signalling that residents there should monitor conditions closely and get ready to evacuate. Disruption is also reaching classrooms, with two public schools and six independent schools announcing closures for Friday. Road closures have been reported alongside these developments, and the situation is being followed in an ongoing live update.
Moreton police have charged a Sunshine Coast teenager with 62 offences linked to dangerous driving across the district. It is alleged the boy was a passenger in a Ford Falcon conducting burnouts in Morayfield on 10 September before it crashed into a fence. A 17-year-old Imbil boy and a 19-year-old Pacific Paradise man were also charged. Police say 142 offenders have now been charged with 618 offences under Operation Yankee Tread since August. A 26-year-old Deception Bay man faces charges after a crash in Caboolture on 11 October.
Moreton police have charged a Sunshine Coast teenager with 62 offences linked to hooning incidents across three districts between April and September. Police allege the boy was a passenger in a Ford Falcon that conducted burnouts in Morayfield and crashed into a fence on 10 September, before he and another teenager left the scene. A 17-year-old Imbil boy faces charges including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and a 19-year-old Pacific Paradise man faces charges including receiving tainted property. Separately, police allege a driver fled after a crash in Caboolture on 11 October.
Birdwatchers are invited to a guided walk at the Caboolture Region Environmental Education Centre on October 23, as part of the Great Aussie Bird Count. Moreton Bay City Council says the data will help build fauna surveys run with BirdLife Australia. The area is home to about 360 bird species. Council is also tracking local ibis with the University of Sunshine Coast and has installed a new osprey nesting pole at Beachmere.
An 18-year-old woman has died in hospital days after she and her 20-year-old sister were critically injured in an e-scooter crash in Caboolture, Queensland. The crash happened on Lee Street just before 6pm on Monday. Both women were taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. Police said the younger woman died from her injuries on Wednesday morning, while her sister remains in a critical condition. Police are asking witnesses, and anyone with dashcam footage, to come forward.
An 18-year-old Caboolture woman has died in hospital after an e-scooter crash on Lee Street in Caboolture on Monday evening, 12 October. Emergency services were called to the crash at about 5.55pm. A 20-year-old woman, also from Caboolture, was critically injured and remains in hospital in a critical condition. Police are investigating the cause of the single-vehicle crash and are appealing for witnesses and anyone with relevant dashcam vision to come forward.
Police are appealing for witnesses or dashcam vision after a serious single-vehicle crash involving an e-scooter in Caboolture on the evening of 12 October. Emergency services were called to Lee Street around 5.55pm. Two women, aged 18 and 20, were found critically injured and taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, where they remain in critical condition. Investigations into the cause of the crash are continuing.
First-home buyers have been locked out of 169 previously affordable Queensland property markets since the federal 5 per cent deposit scheme was expanded a year ago. An analysis of Realestate.com.au data found that 852 of 890 house and unit markets have risen in value. Deagon houses jumped 31.2 per cent to $1.187 million. Since October, new Queensland mortgage lodgements have fallen 30 per cent, with first-home buyer applications down 18 per cent, according to Loan Market. Buyer's agent Lauren Jones said rising interest rates and living costs have cut borrowing power, leaving young buyers largely absent from the market.
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Retired dentist Peter Lynch has designed a $4 plastic basket that lets pickers pack mulberries directly into punnets. His Sunshine Coast hinterland farm, Kureelpa Mulberry Company, says the change has cut fruit damage by 80 per cent and reduced labour costs. The farm's four-week harvest depends on daily pickers, and the couple is concerned that cuts to working holiday visa numbers could make hiring difficult. Two French working holiday makers on the farm said a second year in Australia is uncertain.
Nebo residents face a planned water supply outage from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Thursday, 29 October 2026, while the council carries out repairs at the Emergency Services Building. About 11 properties on St Lawrence and Kemmis Streets will be affected. Once supply returns, some households may notice discoloured water. Residents in that situation are advised to flush their taps and avoid using washing machines until the water runs clear. Flushing water can be reused on gardens or lawns.
Mining companies in Queensland's North West Minerals Province are struggling to find workers as drilling ramps up and new jobs open. AIC Mines chairman Aaron Colleran said hiring has been difficult everywhere, including at its Eloise copper mine near Cloncurry. The Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association estimates the industry will need 24,000 new workers across the country by 2027. Queensland Resources Council figures point to competing skill needs and fewer young people entering trades and mining careers. Industry leaders say apprenticeships must grow to ease the shortage.
Entries for the 2026 Spring in the Mary Photo Competition close this weekend, on October 31. The Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee is inviting photographers of all ages and skill levels to share spring images from across the region. Six award categories share $2,500 in prizes, including a Junior category for entrants aged 16 and under. Entrants may submit up to three original photographs taken within the Mary River catchment, using a camera or smartphone. Images, a short caption and an entry form are to be emailed to the committee.
Tamborine Mountain U3A is bringing mature residents and retirees together through a wide range of classes and events. The group has run on the mountain since 2007. Members can take part in activities including ballet, card games, pickleball, language classes and novel discussions. Branch Secretary Bev Kirk says the group helps prevent loneliness and keeps members engaged. The U3A also runs events at local businesses, including a Great Gatsby Murder Mystery Night on October 23 at the Fox and Hounds.
Trilogy Accounting, a local accounting firm, is celebrating 15 years in business. Directors Samantha Newsham and Noela Lee say their active community involvement, including helping found the Canungra Chamber, has helped the business grow. Noela said the firm values the long-term trust built with clients. The early years were difficult, with some days passing without payment, but the team has continued to support local residents and businesses with their finances. Samantha said many startups seek advice before making decisions.
The Raiders have withdrawn their four-year, $4.4 million contract offer to Hudson Young. The PNG Chiefs have offered him a tax-free deal of $900,000 a season, which is financially better. The Chiefs said they could not fit him under their salary cap at the $1.1 million a season figure set by the NRL. The Raiders had wanted to sign Young long term and felt they had to act before the November 1 deadline, when players with expiring contracts can negotiate with rival clubs.
City of Moreton Bay and the Brisbane Bullets are calling on residents to nominate people who make a difference in local sport. The Community Hero initiative recognises coaches, volunteers and everyday champions who go above and beyond. Two finalists will each receive four game tickets and a half-time shout-out. The major winner will receive a courtside box experience for four, food and drinks, a signed jersey and an on-court thank you. Nominations close at 11:59pm on Sunday 22 November.
Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour has paid tribute to former councillor James Hansen, who has died. Hansen served one term on the former Woocoo Shire Council from 2004 to 2008 and three terms on Fraser Coast Regional Council from 2012 to 2024. Seymour described Hansen as one of the region's last dairy farmers and a passionate advocate for primary producers. He said Hansen always stood up for his beliefs. Seymour said his thoughts are with Hansen's family and friends after what he called a sudden and tragic loss.
