Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Heavy Rainfall in Capricornia and Central Queensland Districts

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a severe thunderstorm warning (IDQ21033) for heavy rainfall. This is a top-priority alert for immediate broadcast, targeting residents in parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Capricornia, and Wide Bay and Burnett Forecast Districts.

Affected Areas

The warning covers several regions in central Queensland. Specific locations that may be impacted by the storm activity include:

• Gladstone
• Biloela
• Woorabinda
• Seventeen Seventy
• Calliope
• Baralaba

What You Should Do

Emergency services advise residents in the warning area to take the following precautions:

• Seek Shelter: Go inside a strong building immediately and stay inside until the storm has passed.
• Vehicle Safety: Park your car undercover and away from trees. Do not drive unless absolutely necessary, as conditions are dangerous.
• Home Preparation: Close all doors and windows. Charge mobile phones and power banks in case of power outages.
• Health and Safety: Keep asthma medications close by, as storms and wind can trigger attacks. Ensure pets are in a safe place and properly identified.
• Communication: Alert friends, family, and neighbors in the area to the current conditions.

Expected Conditions

A slow-moving trough extending across the Capricornia region is interacting with a northerly flow of very humid and unstable air. These conditions are likely to produce severe thunderstorms characterized by localized heavy rainfall. This intense precipitation may lead to flash flooding within the warning area over the next several hours.

Timeline

The alert was officially issued at 6:23 pm on Friday, March 6, 2026. The hazardous conditions are expected to persist through the evening. The Bureau of Meteorology expects to issue the next update by 9:25 pm, or sooner if conditions change significantly.