Flood threat passes for central Qld

The flood threat receded across central Queensland on Sunday afternoon, after
torrential rain and king tides threatened homes along the Pioneer River.
Ex-cyclone Olga and a monsoonal trough dumped heavy rain in northern and central
Queensland while huge swells and king tides were reported along the coast.
Mackay recorded up to 330mm in 24 hours.
The mayor of Australia's sugar capital, Col Meng, said a king tide of 6.6m hit
Mackay around 11.30am (AEST) on Sunday.
He said about six homes in a low-lying area between the Pioneer and Vines rivers
were door-knocked and advised to be ready for evacuation, but the threat faded.
"I suppose we had a bit of concern for the tide, but the river receded and we're
back to normal," Mr Meng told AAP.
"The sun's shining."
Flood warnings remain current for coastal rivers and streams from Townsville to
Mackay, including the Don, Fitzroy, Haughton and Pioneer rivers.
Townsville and its surrounds copped between 100mm and 200mm of rain in 24 hours
while up to 300mm fell west of Mackay.
Senior forecaster Bryan Rollstone, from Queensland's Bureau of Meteorology, said the
rain front was moving south and would reach the Wide Bay area and inland to
Charleville on Monday.
Meanwhile, two major highways were still cut.
The Bruce Highway was closed at the Houghton River and Giru, between Townsville and
Ayr while the Landsborough Highway was closed 30km west of Barcaldine in western
Queensland.
The Gold Coast will continue to be battered by strong swells and king tides on Monday.
The BoM said tides along the Gold Coast were expected to hit 1.80m just before 10am
(AEST) on Monday.
Tides on the Sunshine Coast, north of Brisbane, could reach 2.1m, about the same time.
The BoM said homes along the coast or canal estates could be inundated.
The king tides are expected to persist through the week.
Gold Coast City Council's Lifeguard supervisor Luke Ingwersen said high tides should
not deter swimmers.
"Stay in between the red and yellow flags and check with lifeguards if you're unsure
about entering the waters," Mr Ingwersen told AAP.