BRISBANE - Clean-up efforts are underway across Queensland's Sunshine Coast as flood waters begin to recede, authorities say.
Emergency Management Queensland regional director Peter Twomey said flood waters peaked at 6pm (AEST) yesterday, with only limited damage thanks to early preparations including the laying of 2,000 sandbags aroundNoosa.
"Throughout the evening, flood levels remained steady and they are now beginning to fall in some areas," Mr Twomey said.
"Major flooding has affected residents in the Noosa River, Lake Cooroibah and Lake Cootharaba area and even though we are confident the worst is now past us, it may take several days for waters to return to normal levels."
The State Emergency Service (SES) are continuing to monitor outlying communities such as Boreen Point, where flood levels remain steady, he said.
But police are warning residents not to become complacent as floodwaters recede, after a 32-year-old man and his utility were swept off a bridge at Tiaro, near Maryborough, last night.
The man became stranded after trying to cross the bridge, which had been closed due to flooding.
His passenger went for help, but the ute was swept into the floodwaters.
The driver was rescued by SES volunteers.
Residents are being asked to obey traffic signs with many roads across the region, spanning almost 50km from Noosa's coast to inland Gympie, still closed.
More than 800mm of rain has been recorded in parts of the Sunshine Coast this week in what the Bureau of Meteorology described as a one-in-a-100-year weather event that has swept across south-east Queensland.
It caused havoc across the region with authorities reporting more than 100 calls for help, dozens rescued from flooded cars and homes, homes damaged by fallen trees, roads blocked and thousands without power.
August rainfall records have tumbled throughout the south-east, leading to expectations that level-six water restrictions will now be delayed.
An SEQWater spokesman said the combined storage of Somerset, Wivenhoe and North Pine dams was now around 18.8 per cent, with more inflows expected.
