A man has died after being found unresponsive in floodwaters at Smothering Creek on the Fraser Coast in Queensland. Emergency crews were called shortly after 11am on Monday and declared him dead at the scene. Police are investigating whether the 57-year-old drove into the floodwaters before his death, and a report will go to the Coroner. The death follows torrential rain across the Wide Bay-Burnett region, which triggered flash flooding, road closures and major flood warnings. Authorities have urged motorists not to drive through floodwaters.
Overnight rain soaked Perth, with rain gauges overflowing across the metropolitan area. The Bureau of Meteorology's Angus Hines said the system is moving north, and storms are possible. The Perth metro site recorded 7.2mm, while the heaviest fall of 28mm was recorded east of Lancelin. Mr Hines warned that more rain is likely before summer patterns settle in. Sunny weather and temperatures up to 28 degrees are forecast midweek, before a cold front brings showers on Saturday.
Perth will see a burst of sunshine and temperatures climbing to 28C after a wet start to the week. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts the sun returning on Tuesday, with 27C expected, and 28C on Wednesday under mostly sunny skies. Temperatures will ease to 26C on Thursday. Showers are likely to return on Friday, with the top temperature reaching 25C. Rain is also expected on Saturday and Sunday, with highs of 23C.
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Six campers were rescued from floodwater at Leyburn in southern Queensland. A man was found dead in floodwaters at Boompa, and police are investigating the circumstances of his death. The Bureau of Meteorology warns of more thunderstorms across south-east Queensland this afternoon, with some possibly severe. Flooding is easing along the Mary River, though several bridges remain closed. Residents are urged not to drive through floodwater.
Perth is set for five days of sunshine as rain clears early on Monday. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts three days of 27C from Tuesday to Thursday, with cold mornings continuing. Tuesday is expected to bring the highest UV rating of 9, so sun protection is advised. Conditions are forecast to turn cooler by the weekend, with showers returning on Saturday and Sunday.
Several flood warnings have been issued across Queensland as heavy rain continues. The Mary River at Tiaro is rising rapidly and could reach major flood level. The Gympie Regional Council said the Kidd Bridge into Gympie was likely to close at 5:30pm. The Bureau of Meteorology says the worst of the severe storms could hit south-east Queensland on Monday, bringing large hail, damaging winds and heavy rain. Near Clermont, an Emergency Warning for flash flooding has been lifted, though moderate flood warnings remain for the Warrego and Weir rivers.
Cattle prices jumped this week after heavy rain fell across key production areas in Queensland and northern New South Wales. Meat and Livestock Australia's benchmark Eastern Young Cattle Indicator rose above 1,000 cents a kilogram. The national processor cow indicator reached a record $4 a kilogram, and the heavy steer indicator hit $4.77. Analyst Simon Quilty said tight supply and competition between processors and feedlots drove demand, and he forecasts heavy steer prices to rise about 20 per cent next year.
Further rain and severe thunderstorms are forecast across eastern Australia this weekend, after flash flooding hit Queensland this week. The Bureau of Meteorology recorded up to 450mm of rain in south-east Queensland over seven days, and a storm on Thursday prompted hundreds of calls to emergency services. Flood warnings are in place for parts of Queensland, New South Wales and other states. The Bureau's David Crock said Queensland can expect a wet weekend, and a cold front will bring another round of severe storms to the south-east on Monday.
Rain arrived at Cowes on Friday night as crowds gathered for MotoGP at the Thompson Avenue Mall, which had been closed to cars since Thursday. Earlier, the temperature was still 30 degrees, and visitors enjoyed drinks, food and live music. Local singer Imogen Price was performing when clouds gathered over the bay and showers and lightning sent people scattering before the Laing Brothers were due on stage. Within minutes the temperature fell 13 degrees, and the cooler weather became the new normal for the weekend.
Wyndham council has called off the 2026 Children's Week Picnic, which had been set for Sunday 25 October. The decision follows forecasts of heavy rain for the area over the weekend. No new date has been confirmed, although the council says it will look at possible options for holding the event later. Residents are being directed to the council's website and social media channels for further updates as they become available.
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.
Heavy rain could fall across parts of Queensland and northern New South Wales over the coming days, with some areas possibly receiving more than a month's typical October rainfall in under a week. Flooding has already started in central Queensland, and more areas could be affected. Meanwhile, Hobart is experiencing unusually hot October weather, reaching 30.4 degrees on Tuesday, its hottest October day in nine years. A cold front is forecast to bring temperatures sharply down by the weekend. Meteorologist Angus Hines says the national weather pattern will stay unsettled through the weekend before easing.
Residents in South East Queensland are being warned to prepare for more rain after days of heavy showers. Bureau of Meteorology forecaster David Crock said wet conditions will continue this week due to a blocking high over the Tasman Sea. Sippy Downs recorded 127mm of rain between Monday morning and Tuesday morning, and several people were rescued from floodwaters on the Sunshine Coast. Potential severe thunderstorms are forecast for central and western Queensland on Tuesday and Wednesday. Crock said a cold front on Monday could bring a significant storm outbreak, with drier weather expected from next Tuesday.
Queenslanders are being warned to prepare for more heavy rain and storms after a wet start to the week. The Bureau of Meteorology says a high-pressure system over the Tasman Sea and an inland trough are bringing the rain. Sippy Downs on the Sunshine Coast received 127mm in less than 24 hours. The bureau says heavy rain with thunderstorms can cause rapid flash flooding, even in dry catchments. Drier weather is expected to begin around Tuesday next week.
Australia's fast bowlers gained the upper hand on a rain-affected second day of the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha. Scott Boland took four wickets for 31 runs as South Africa closed at 5-96. Captain Temba Bavuma remained unbeaten on 41 after a fightback with Ryan Rickelton. Matthew Renshaw's reflex catch ended Rickelton's innings on 31 late in the day. Better weather is forecast for the final three days, with hopes of a result on a pitch expected to improve for batting.
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Queensland could receive a month's worth of rain within a single week, forecasters have warned. The Bureau of Meteorology says the wettest stretch will be the southeast, from Gympie to Brisbane and the Gold Coast, where 100mm to 150mm could fall by the weekend. Senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said the persistent downpour is unusual for this time of year. Some areas have already been drenched, with Middle Percy Island recording its wettest October day on record. Showers and thunderstorms are also expected to spread to South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales by midweek.
Scott Boland took both Australian wickets on a rain-interrupted first day of the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha. He dismissed Aiden Markram and David Bedingham in consecutive deliveries after the pitch began to move. South African debutant Marques Ackerman was greeted by a family moment after scoring his first run before the rain returned. Play was delayed by two hours, with only 12.2 overs bowled on the day at St George's Park.
