LATEST @ May 19 | Heavy rain has wreaked havoc across the Gold Coast overnight, with flooding sparking close to a dozen swift-water rescues.
More than a month’s worth of rain has fallen across the Coast in less than 24 hours, with Springbrook in the hinterland copping a whopping 205mm.
The city also saw heavy rainfall totals, with Molendinar receiving 173mm, while Tallai soaked up 147mm and Southport was hammered with over 153mm.
Authorities responded to ten swift-water rescues for drivers stuck in floodwaters, including at Illinbah in the Scenic Rim where a car got swept away by rising waters, forcing a woman to cling to a tree.
The Queensland Fire Department used a swift water rescue boat to access and rescue the 53-year-old, who was looked over by paramedics, but thankfully escaped serious injury.
Almost 50 Year 12 students and teachers also had to be rescued after becoming stranded by floodwaters while on a school camp at Mount Barney in the Scenic Rim.
Emergency crews used a boat to transport the students and teachers from North Lakes State College across the flooded road, with everyone safely back on dry land by 11pm.
Two males were also rescued after becoming stuck in floodwaters on Somerset Drive in Mudgeeraba, while a driver had to be walked out of rising waters along Bell Place in Mudgeeraba after their vehicle became stuck in floodwaters.
Locals also launched into action in Tallebudgera, with a 63-year-old woman rescued by residents using a tractor after her vehicle became stuck along Tallebudgera Connection Road around 8pm.
SES crews responded to over 320 calls for help across the entire South East, including 106 on the Gold Coast.
Most of the jobs were for tarping and sandbagging of properties and businesses as the rain continued to hammer the region.
Over a dozen roads remain closed on the Gold Coast this morning, so motorists are being urged to take it easy if out and about.
A full list of roads being impacted by flooding can be found here.
Rain is expected to continue lashing the city today, however it’s not expected to be anywhere near as heavy as what we saw on Monday with only 25mm forecast.
A flood warning remains in place for the Pimpama and Coomera Rivers, along with the Nerang River, Mudgeeraba Creek and Talledbugera and Currumbin Creeks with minor to moderate flooding occurring.
The threat has passed for the Tweed, with the Bureau of Meteorology confirming minor flooding has now eased at both Tumbulgum and the Tweed River with no further flooding expected.
EARLIER @ May 18 | @ 5.30 PM | A severe thunderstorm warning has now been issued for the Gold Coast.
The weather bureau warns the thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours.
Springbrook, Tallebudgera and Miami are among the areas in the firing line.
Pacific Pines has soaked up more than 110 millimetres of rain since 9AM, while Springbrook has been hammered with over 140 millimetres.
A flood warning has already been issued for the Nerang, Coomera and Pimpama Rivers, while a flood warning also remains in place for the Tweed River.
Authorities have warned minor flooding is expected to develop at Tumbulgum and Chinderah overnight.
EARLIER @ 2PM | A flood warning has been issued for Gold Coast rivers as heavy rain continues to lash the city.
The relentless wet weather that’s drenched the region over the past 24 hours has caused elevated river levels.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, minor to moderate flooding is currently occurring across the Nerang, Coomera and Pimpama Rivers.
“Moderate to heavy rainfall has been observed across the catchment since Sunday night which has caused elevated river levels and areas of minor to moderate flooding,” BOM said.
“Rainfall is forecast to continue through Monday night into Tuesday”.
A flood watch has also been issued for parts of the Tweed with minor flooding possible this evening.
“River level rises area expected across the flood watch area with the forecast rainfall and areas of minor flooding may develop from Monday evening,” the bureau added.
The rainfall is being caused by a massive 4000-kilometre cloud band moving in from the West, which is combining with a surface trough off the Coast.
More than 1,300 homes and businesses are also without power across the region, with Advancetown, Mudgeeraba, Tallai, and Worongary the most impacted suburbs.
Energex crews are on scene working to get properties back online as soon as possible.
Over a dozen roads across the city have also gone under, with Siganto Drive in Helensvale, Hardys Road in Bonogin, Hotham Creek Road and Ruffles Road in Willowvale, Birds Road in Maudsland and the Clagiraba Causeway among those being impacted by flooding.
CLAGIRABA: Gold Coast motorists are advised to avoid the Clagiraba Road causeway, as it is currently is closed due to flooding. #qldtraffic. pic.twitter.com/vwvqzMUExV
— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) May 18, 2026
For a full list of flooded roads across the Gold Coast, click here.
