A search and rescue operation has been underway this morning after a large boat with 11 people on board capsized on Boxing Day in waters near Brisbane, Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll confirmed.
Two people, a 49-year-old man and a 16-year-old man, have been found dead and another man is still missing from when the boat capsized in Moreton Bay south of Green Island just before 5.30pm yesterday.
Another search and rescue operation has been underway at Mary River near Gympie after three women were swept away in a storm drain near Kidd Bridge at 3.20pm yesterday.
“Sadly one of those has been found deceased, one woman is still missing and one woman has survived,” Carroll said.
“The events have certainly taken a tragic turn in the south-east, so I ask that everyone heeds those warnings, they listen to authorities, they stay out of the dangerous conditions.”
In addition to those incidents, a nine-year-old girl is believed to have drowned after she went missing in Rochedale South near Brisbane yesterday.
Engergex is reporting about 80,000 south-east Queenslanders are still without power while crews work to clean up from damaging storms that also hit NSW and Victoria.
Another death occurred in Victoria about 6.45pm on Boxing Day after flash flooding hit a campsite.
“Police were told a number of vehicles in the campground area were underwater and a number of people were safely retrieved from a nearby bridge,” Victoria Police said in a statement.
“The flood waters receded and emergency services started searching the area.
“A woman, who is yet to be formally identified, was located deceased by police in the search area about 6.45pm.”
More than 1217 incidents have been attended to by 1000 State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers since December 22.
NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Sean Kearn said in the last 24 hours crews had attended to 500 incidents including seven flood rescues at Tathra, Manar, Lake Bathurst, Tarago, Bega and at Narrabarba near Eden.
Video shows lightning striking down a tree above a garage in Singleton and hail raining down on a backyard in Rutherford.
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Assistant Commissioner Kearns said incidents involving hail-damaged properties and fallen trees have demanded attention in the Hunter.
“At Rutherford and Maitland, our crews are actively involved in the cleanup after hail damaged 80 properties, with assessments ongoing,” Kearns said.
Kearns said conditions were expected to ease in the coming days.
“With the holiday season and unpredictable weather conditions, it’s essential for everyone to stay informed and prioritise safety,” he said.
“If you come across flooded roads, fallen trees, or any other hazards, please exercise caution, and if you require assistance from the NSW SES, call 132 500.
“In emergencies call Triple Zero.”
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Towns across Victoria are experiencing widespread flooding.
A watch and act warning has been issued for Avoca River to Charlton Town with moderate flooding likely to develop this morning with a river peak of 7 metres expected.
“Rainfall totals of 30-105 mm were recorded in the Avoca catchment in the 48 hours to 9.00 am Tuesday,” Victoria Emergency said.
No more rainfall is forecast for that region.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued initial minor flood warnings for Bunyip River, Snowy River, Werribee River and the Loddon River.
You can check all of the minor flood warnings on Emergency Victoria here.
