Emergency services have rescued six campers stranded by floodwater in southern Queensland as heavy rain and thunderstorms continue to affect the region. The incident occurred near Leyburn in the Southern Downs, where fast-flowing water trapped two caravans at a campground and forced occupants to wait for assistance.

Queensland emergency services were called to the campground on Tullamaville Road after rising floodwater made it unsafe for the campers to leave. Three swift-water rescue crews attended the scene and used rescue boats to bring the group to safety. The six people, aged between 26 and 71, were rescued by approximately 11.15 am on Monday, 26 October. No injuries were reported among the group.

The rescue was part of a broader emergency response to flooding across southern Queensland. Two additional people were rescued from flooded vehicles in the Southern Downs during the early morning. One woman became trapped in her car in Warwick at about 3.30 am, while another driver was rescued from Rosenthal Heights approximately half an hour later.

Authorities have warned that further thunderstorms could bring large hail, damaging winds and flash flooding to parts of south-east Queensland. The Bureau of Meteorology forecast renewed storm activity around Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast during the afternoon and early evening. Some storms were expected to become severe, particularly across inland areas and already saturated catchments.

A Watch and Act warning was issued for Laidley and Glenore Grove in the Lockyer Valley, where flash flooding along Laidley Creek affected roads. Major flooding was also occurring along Warrill Creek near Harrisville, with concerns that flood levels could rise further towards Amberley.

The Southern Downs town of Allora was another area being closely monitored. Local reports indicated that approximately 100 millimetres of rain had fallen in the 24 hours leading up to Monday morning. Council modelling indicated the potential for major flooding, although homes were not expected to be affected at that stage.

Floodwater also affected roads and agricultural properties around the region. At Berat, residents reported water covering driveways after Dalrymple Creek rose rapidly. Some farmers reported cattle becoming stranded as waterways overflowed, while others were able to continue their operations as water levels began to fall.

Coolmunda Dam near Inglewood was also being monitored after its capacity rose rapidly from about 50 per cent to approximately 90 per cent over a short period. Sunwater warned that outflows could continue for some time because the surrounding catchment was already wet. Authorities assessed the potential for minor flooding downstream.

Further north, flood warnings remained in place for the Mary River system. Flooding affected communities around Miva, Tiaro, Gympie and Maryborough, although forecasts had improved in some locations. Several bridges remained closed while authorities assessed road conditions and possible damage.

Emergency services urged motorists not to drive through floodwater, even when roads appeared passable. Floodwater can conceal damaged road surfaces, debris and strong currents, while conditions can change quickly after additional rainfall.

The severe weather has also created challenges for residents and businesses that had been preparing for a drier season. Some communities welcomed the rain after prolonged dry conditions, but the intensity of the rainfall has increased the risk of flooding and disrupted travel.

Authorities continued monitoring weather systems, river levels and dam conditions throughout the day. Residents in affected areas were advised to follow official warnings, avoid flooded roads and prepare for further changes in conditions.

The rescue at Leyburn highlights the importance of swift-water response teams during severe weather events. Their intervention ensured the six campers could leave the flooded campground safely, while emergency crews continued responding to other incidents across Queensland.