Boy survives being sucked into drain as floodwaters hit

People are urged to stay away from floodwaters and not to drive through submerged roads. (Jason O'BRIEN/AAP PHOTOS)

A lucky escape by a teenager sucked into a drain has prompted a heartfelt plea to avoid floodwaters as showers eased in a rain-hit region.

Sunny skies are set to greet southeast Queensland after being hit by heavy showers for days, causing flooding, power outages and damaging roads.

"It's good news for folks in the southeast where some flooding is still ongoing after previous days of rainfall," the Bureau of Meteorology's Miriam Bradbury said.

Police are pleading with people to steer clear of floodwaters as rain continues to batter Queensland

However, authorities have warned residents wading through the aftermath to use common sense after a number of floodwater rescues.

Two people were caught in their vehicles near Murgon on Wednesday night after flooding hit the South Burnett region, cutting off roads and reportedly causing $250,000 in damage to the highway.

But the most fortunate escape was pulled off by a 15-year-old boy who was sucked into a far north Queensland stormwater drain on Tuesday.

Police on Thursday released footage of an officer arriving moments after the teen went missing in Mareeba as concerned children stood by the flooded area.

The boy luckily re-emerged a few streets away with cuts and grazes.

"We were lucky on that occasion that that boy came out with some scratches and bruises," State Disaster Coordinator Shane Chelepy said on Thursday. 

"We do not want to see bad outcomes from kids playing in floodwaters - you just do not know what is under that water."

Mr Chelepy implored residents to stay out of floodwaters, saying many people had already been rescued across the state.

Queensland Fire and Rescue Service sign warning
Amid mutiple road closures due to flooding drivers are again being warned to obey the warnings.

"We are only early in the season and we have already seen risky behaviour being undertaken with people driving through floodwaters," he said.

Floodwaters have begun to subside at South Burnett, north of Brisbane, with an emergency watch and act alert cancelled late on Thursday.

"Flash flooding has eased and the water is starting to go down. Obey all road signs and never drive through flood waters," the police warning said.

Residents at Western Downs west of Brisbane are also waiting for floodwaters to ease after at one stage being asked to prepare to evacuate.

A major flood warning was issued downstream of the Logan River at Beaudesert, which is now subsiding.

The state's north is next in the firing line.

The bureau warned a trough and a tropical low was set to develop across northern and eastern parts of Queensland, particularly north of Mackay.

It is expected to bring widespread rain and thunderstorms, with possible heavy falls from Thursday night set to linger for days.

Floodwaters over a road in Jandowae (file image)
Rising rivers in Queensland's Western Downs has emergency services worried about flooding.

The bureau said it was unlikely the tropical low would develop into the season's first cyclone.

Daily rainfall of up to 60mm is forecast for the north on Thursday and up to 80mm on Friday, with heavier localised totals of up to 200mm.

It follows days of heavy rain across the southeast that caused flooding, power outages and affected the Australia-India cricket Test at the Gabba.

The State Emergency Service received 145 calls for help, with Ergon Energy saying more than 2000 customers were without power late on Thursday after Queensland recorded nearly 540,000 lightning strikes in the past week.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store