The cleanup is continuing across the Sunshine Coast today after flash flooding inundated homes, businesses and sports fields yesterday.
Hinterland areas including Mooloolah Valley, Nambour, Woombye, Yandina, Palmwoods and Eudlo were inundated.
More than 500mm of rain fell at Diamond Valley in a little over 24 hours.
Some schools and roads remain closed and 23 people, 33 horses, 1 donkey, 3 dogs and 2 cats spent the night at the refuge centre at the Nambour show grounds.
In some good news, there is no significant rain forecast today.
However, there’s still a lot of work for homeowners and businesses as they assess the damage.
Ray White’s Nambour office flooded.
Selling principal Matt O’Grady said he couldn’t sleep on Sunday night as the rain hammered down on the roof of his home.
“I got to the office at 3:30am to check and it was completely destroyed and underwater,” he said.
“Petrie Creek behind the main street we are on had risen 8m.
Mr O’Grady said Nambour had 325mm of rain and “everything in the office is ruined, nothing could be saved.”
“I have never seen anything like that in my life. The last time the creek flooded was 33 years ago in 1992.”
He said his 10 staff were all safe and they have checked on their tenants, especially those who live in low lying areas, and they are all safe too.
“Staff are working remotely from home and it will be some time before they are back in the office,” he said.
“I don’t know how long it will be before the shop itself is up and running again….it could be days or weeks but the main thing is no one was hurt and for that I am extremely thankful,” Mr O’Grady said.
Meanwhile, staff at Clayton’s Towing rescued two people stuck in a ute in floodwater at the height of the downpour.
The vehicle accidentally went into the water on Yandina-Coolum Road outside the towing company’s depot early yesterday morning.
Staff were at work early to move their tow trucks to higher ground due to the flash flooding.
They had to smash a window of the ute to get the occupants out.
All rubbish tips are open across the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay and Noosa council areas.
Sunshine Coast Council tips are free for home owners for general and green waste.
Council’s bin collection service has resumed and there’s an on demand service for people who’ve got hygiene issues with their bins that haven’t been collected for more than a week.
Tips are also open in Noosa Shire and bins are being collected.
You can empty sandbags on your lawn or gardens or take them to various locations across the coast.
To find out where, head to The Sunshine Coast Council’s online disaster hub.
Meanwhile, the Moreton Bay Council has moved from disaster operations to recovery response.
124 customers are still without power and 79 roads remain closed across the area.
The SES and rural fire service have been called to more than 700 jobs since 7pm Saturday night.
There has been no over floor flooding, however fallen trees and green waste are widespread throughout the Moreton.
All waste facilities are open from 6am to 6pm.
All kerbside services are back to business as usual and a number of trucks have been dedicated to general waste catch up services from last Thursday and Friday.
City of Moreton Bay sandbags are designed to be reused.
Once dry, store them safely at home or put them in general waste bins after they’ve been emptied.
