Schools across south-east Queensland remained closed on Friday (23 October) after heavy rain brought flash flooding and hundreds of calls for help. ABC News reported that conditions were expected to ease during the morning, although isolated falls of up to 40 millimetres were still possible.
The Department of Education's official plain-text closure list, checked on Friday morning, included Birali Steiner School at Beachmere, Caboolture Montessori School and Grace Lutheran College at Caboolture, and The River School at Maleny. At that check, its state and Catholic school sections listed no current closures.
The department cautions that its independent and Catholic school information relies on third parties and may not be accurate. It advises families to contact their principal about local arrangements and to seek updated information about access to their school and classroom arrangements.
The disruption followed intense rainfall north of Brisbane on Thursday (22 October). According to the ABC, Caboolture recorded 203 millimetres in six hours, while Morayfield and Burpengary received more than 250 millimetres over 24 hours. Dozens of roads remained closed across regions north of the city.
The ABC reported more than 540 State Emergency Service call-outs since Thursday. Two campers were winched to safety after floodwater cut them off at Mount Barney, as emergency crews responded to the effects of the downpour across the south-east.
Further Rain Remains Possible
The Bureau of Meteorology expected showers and thunderstorms to continue across much of Queensland through Friday and into the weekend, with moderate to heavy falls becoming more isolated, the ABC reported. Initial minor flood warnings had been issued on Thursday for waterways including the Maroochy River, Coochin Creek and Mooloolah River.
River flooding remained a risk, with further rainfall capable of causing additional catchments to flood. Looking further ahead, Brisbane Times reported the bureau's warning that the weather system could produce supercell thunderstorms on Monday (26 October).
School Access
The Queensland Government's school-closure guidance says decisions take account of current and forecast weather, river and stream levels, and road access. Parents are advised to monitor updated forecasts and emergency-service directions about safe road travel, and to contact their principal or local education office about school access.
The same guidance says student absences resulting from an extreme weather event or natural disaster do not count on report cards or in school absence data. Families using early childhood education and care should contact their service provider directly for the latest closure and reopening information.