As wild weather lashed the Gold Coast on New Year’s Eve plucky revellers refused to let it spoil their fun as hundreds braved torrential rain to ring in 2024 in style.
Heavy rain, thunderstorms and large hail forecast for northern NSW and Queensland had emergency crews on stand-by on New Year’s Eve.
The Gold Coast was pounded with up to 140mm of rain in the 22 hours to 7am on Monday with many caught in a series of torrential downpours.
Up to 340mm of rain fell at the border between NSW and Queensland with Bald Mountain in the southeast receiving 112mm of rain in just one hour.
Many were seen running for shelter from the deluge while others embraced the wild weather and headed to the beach for an early morning swim at dawn.
One woman protected herself from the rain with an umbrella as she rang in the New Year
Hundreds of Queenslanders were caught in wild weather on Sunday night
Up to 140mm of rain fell in the Gold Coast on New Year’s Eve causing havoc for revellers
Heavy rain, thunderstorms and large hail were forecast for northern NSW and Queensland
A storm warning is in place for inland parts of central, southern and northern Queensland
These woman attempted to cover themselves in ponchos to stop from getting wet
This pair decided to embrace the wild weather and went for a walk along the beach
Others decided to jump in the water after ringing in the New Year on Sunday night
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A severe thunderstorm warning remained in place on Monday morning for inland parts of northern, southern and central Queensland.
The Bureau of Meteorology also put out an alert for heavy rain in southeast Queensland, the Gold Coast and the Scenic Rim.
The Tweed River is one of a series of rivers expected to flood throughout Monday with the border between Coolangatta and Rathdowney to be most impacted.
Dysaart, in the Isaac region, received 62mm of rain between 5pm and 5:30pm.
In wild scenes on the Gold Coast, a shirtless man and two police officers were seen getting drenched as they performed an arrest in the rain.
Spirits remained high on the Gold Coast despite the heavy falls
Revellers took the opportunity to mingle in the streets whenever the rain stopped
Branches and other rubbish was seen scattered across the Surfers Paradise foreshore
Amid the chaos, a man and two police officers were seen getting drenched during the downpour
Up to four police officers were seen leading a man towards a waiting vehicle
These revellers were able to shelter from the rain under a rainbow umbrella
Hundreds of revellers in sequins and glitter were seen running for cover as they were drenched by incessant downpours throughout the evening.
Many were ill-equipped for the weather with only a few seen sheltering under an umbrella or wearing a poncho to protect themselves from the rain.
However spirits remained high as Queenslanders caught the midnight fireworks at hotspots like Broadbeach, Coolangatta and Surfers Paradise.
The rest of received drier conditions, with Victoria blessed with cool and dry conditions and Sydney only receiving some scattered showers.
Hobart, Canberra and Melbourne enjoyed the coolest weather on New Year’s Eve with the mercury dropping to 12C at midnight in the nation’s capital.
Earlier on Sunday, Bureau of Meteorologist senior meteorologist Jonathan How urged residents to stay on top of flood warnings.
This reveller used a bright sombrero to protect herself from the rain
Spirits remained high on the Gold Coast despite the heavy rain and storms
As rain pounded the Gold Coast, police officers were seen interacting with several young men
A woman appeared to have lost her shoes as she spoke to police officers
A woman in a sparkly red pantsuit used a shirt to cover her hair from the rain
Only one reveller remembered to pack an umbrella as dozens queued outside a venue
A man is seen walking home in the rain as the sun starts to rise on Monday morning
‘At this stage, we’re not expecting widespread flooding but areas of heavy rain with thunderstorms could produce flash flooding as well as rapid rises in creeks, rivers and storm drains,’ he said.
On Saturday, the Sunshine Coast was hammered by rain, with Beerburrum recording 110mm in two hours and Landsborough 67mm in 30 minutes.
Wind gusts reached 93km/hour at Gympie, while 64mm of rain fell at Cedar Pocket Dam in Queensland.
Severe weather between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day resulted in 10 deaths in Queensland and Victoria, among them a nine-year-old girl lost in a stormwater drain.
NSW SES crews were kept busy, responding to 473 calls for help and conducting six flood rescues across the Christmas weekend.