South-east Queensland is bracing for a second day of heavy rain, as a slow-moving trough sweeps across the state and into northern New South Wales today.
The warnings comes as the search for a missing motorbike rider, feared swept away in a flash flood, continues in Gympie this morning.
So far, authorities have located the motorbike, helmet and backpack of the 54-year-old Gympie local who is believed not to have seen the fast moving floodwaters.
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Gympie yesterday received the state's heaviest amount of rainfall — around 300 mm of rain drenched the area, causing the nearby Mary River to swell.
Queensland Police Inspector Patrick Swindells have called the conditions that hit the town in Queensland's Wide Bay-Burnett district "horrific".
"It was a very large dump on water in a very small amount of time," he said.
"There's all likelihood that he didn't see the flooding waters and has become disabled or washed away."
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There are fears parts of the town will be completely cut off as the river is expected to peak at 13 metres this morning.
The search comes after a woman in her 60s was found dead in a submerged car at at Belli Park on the Sunshine Coast yesterday.
The Gold Coast was also hard hit, with heavy rain claiming parks and roads.
The Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) swiftwater rescue teams have attended multiple call-outs.
Authorities are urging residents not to drive through floodwaters and to delay travel if need be.
More rain on the way
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) are urging residents in the two states to remain on alert as a slow moving trough moves across the east coast.
A severe weather warning is in place for northern NSW with people in the Northern Rivers and parts of Mid North Coast and Northern Tablelands Forecast Districts most affected.
"Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is expected to redevelop from the east tonight and extend inland over areas between Fraser Island, Kingaroy, Oakey and Stanthorpe during Thursday, and continue into Friday," BoM wrote.
"Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 and 120 mm are likely, reaching up to 180 mm over areas east of Gympie and Ipswich."
There are multiple flood warnings in place for both states.
The Tweed, Brunswick, Wilsons, Richmond, Orara, Bellinger and Nambucca Rivers are of the most concern in NSW.
In Queensland authorities are watching: Georgina River, Eyre Creek, the Mary River, Tinana and Six Mile Creeks and Stanley River.
Early this morning the BoM also warned of a heavy thunderstorm moving through Emerald in the central highlands.
At this time, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall.
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