Storm delivers deluge
Flash-flooding in Chinchilla, Toowoomba records 3-year rain high
ONE storm delivered Toowoomba its heaviest rainfall in three years, turning backyards into flood pools and gutters gushing under pressure.
The Bureau of Meteorology recorded Monday night’s official rainfall total at 91.6mm, with the bulk of the rain falling within an hour.
But anecdotal reports from residents put the falls higher in some parts including Wilsonton where Jeff Lynch recorded at least 100mm during the deluge.
Highfields residents reported waters encroaching on back doors, sending water through low-lying houses while out west, where the wild weather began, urgent calls were lodged for sandbagging.
A band of storms began in the Western Downs around dusk, with Chinchilla the first in the firing line.
The town, already soggy from rains late last week, was hammered by a storm cell and heavy rains which caused localised flooding and strained storm water drains on the main streets.
A minor flood warning yesterday remained active for Charleys Creek after the river peaked overnight Monday.
Charleys Creek peaked at 4.67m about 11pm Monday after the storm moved over Toowoomba and further east into the Lockyer Valley.
The creek yesterday was a steady 4.47m and are expected to fall below the minor flood level of 4m today.
The late-night deluge in Toowoomba, which inundated several city streets and stalled at least one vehicle at Torrington, pushed the Garden City’s total February rainfall to 189.8mm.
Gatton also recorded its highest rainfall for the month with 80mm.