Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology Queensland TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall for parts of Central Coast and Whitsundays, Central Highlands and Coalfields and Capricornia Forecast Districts. Issued at 11:37 am Thursday, 15 October 2026. Localised heavy to intense rainfall over parts of central Queensland in the next few hours. Weather Situation A slow moving trough over central Queensland is providing a localised focus for heavy showers and thunderstorms in a very moist and unstable airmass. HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas: Central Coast and Whitsundays, Central Highlands and Coalfields and Capricornia VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields district. Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Central Coast and Whitsundays, Central Highlands and Coalfields and Capricornia districts. 113 mm of rainfall was recorded at Middlemount in the two hours to 11:21 am EST Emergency services advise people to: * If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust. * Park your car undercover away from trees. * Close doors and windows. * Keep asthma medications close by. Storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks. * Charge mobile phones and power banks in case the power goes out. * Put your pets somewhere safe and make sure they can be identified in case they get lost. * Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous. * Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area. * Go inside a strong building now. Stay inside until the storm has passed. The next warning is due to be issued by 2:40 pm. Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and emergency services would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.