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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Mostafa Rachwani (now) and Emily Wind (earlier)

Storms death toll rises as wild weather continues – as it happened

SES Queensland Bill Granger Sydney Tanya Plibersek Gold Gold Coast (Geopolitical Entity) Jason OBrien Mostafa Rachwani Police
A fallen tree outside Movie World on the Gold Coast after severe weather battered Queensland on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
A fallen tree outside Movie World on the Gold Coast after severe weather battered Queensland on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Photograph: Jason O’Brien/EPA

What we learned today – Wednesday, 27 December

With that, we will wrap the blog for the evening. Stay safe out there. We’ll be back first thing tomorrow with all the latest. Here were today’s major stories:

  • The death toll from the wild weather on the east coast rose to nine, with some of the bodies swept into flood waters.

  • The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, paid tribute to those who have lost their lives in the disastrous east coast thunderstorms.

  • The Queensland premier, Steven Miles, said the cost of Queensland storm damage is in the “billions”, as disaster funding was activated for Gold Coast.

  • A volunteer firefighter has died while responding to a bushfire threatening homes near Esperance in Western Australia.

  • Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for NSW and the central Queensland coast.

  • A man has died and three people have required medical attention at Birubi beach near Port Stephens after being pulled from the water.

Updated

Man dies at Birubi beach near Port Stephens

A man has died and three people have required medical attention at Birubi beach, Anna Bay, after being pulled from the water.

The 33-year-old man was assisted by bystanders but could not be revived and died at the scene, just after 2.40pm today.

A woman and a man were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.

A third man was treated at the scene by paramedics, but he did not require any further treatment.

Officers attached to Port Stephens–Hunter police district have begun an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident.

A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.

Updated

A new storm cell has developed near Gosford:

Updated

And most of northern Australia appears to be facing a heatwave:

Updated

Some images just in of thunderstorm damage at Helensvale, in the northern Gold Coast:

People take a ride on a roller coaster near a fallen tree after a storm in Helensvale on the Gold Coast
Storm damage in Helensvale, Queensland. Photograph: Jason O’Brien/EPA
A damaged car from fallen trees after a storm in Helensvale
An uprooted tree
tree branches across the road

Insurance Council declares Christmas storms a ‘significant event’ as claims mount

Rising numbers of insurance claims for the recent severe storms across parts of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria have prompted the Insurance Council of Australia to declare a “significant event”.

As of this morning, insurers had received 7500 claims for damage as a result of “extreme weather” from 23 December to Boxing Day. Impacts include damage from flash floods, hailstorms and damaging winds.

The declaration helps streamline the collection and analysis of data among insurers.

The ICA said in a statement:

If property or vehicle has been impacted, customers are advised to contact their insurer as soon as possible to commence the claims process, even if they do not know the full extent of damage.

The council notes it will closely monitor weather forecasts for the week – which seems appropriate given the hail recorded over part of the central coast a couple of hours ago, and more falling over parts of Sydney in the past hour, among other regions.

Those making claims aren’t required to keep destroyed property, including carpets and furnishings, and instead can take photos, note any identifying information, and keep material samples, the council said.

Updated

Queensland energy crews redeployed from Cairns to Gold Coast

The Queensland energy minister Mick de Brenni said Energex power grid crews had been brought back early from flooding in Cairns to help restore services around the Gold Coast.

Some of the crews have described the damage to the power system as unprecedented.

De Brenni said 85,700 homes and businesses in the Gold Coast and Logan areas and about 3,000 around Brisbane had lost power last night but 45,000 of those had now had services restored.

There are about 950 instances of power lines down. That is an extraordinarily high number.

– AAP

Updated

Good afternoon from rainy Sydney, Mostafa Rachwani with you for the rest of the afternoon.

Thanks for being with me on the blog today. You’ll have Mostafa Rachwani this afternoon, who will continue to bring you the latest. Take care and stay safe.

Severe thunderstorm warning for central Queensland coast

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued in the central coast and Whitsundays districts of Queensland, inland of Mackay and including Eungella.

The Bureau is warning of damaging wind gusts and large hail.

Updated

Thunderstorm death toll rises to nine

Queensland police have located a second woman deceased who had been swept into a stormwater drain in the Mary River, near Gympie in Queensland.

This brings the national death toll related to the east coast thunderstorms to nine.

Police confirmed the 46-year-old Southside woman was recovered around midday in the Gympie weir.

Search efforts had recommenced this morning involving Water Police, SES, police dive squad and air assets.

The Southside woman was one of three women who were swept into floodwaters by the Kidd Bridge. A 40-year-old woman had been found deceased at 7pm last night, while the third woman made it to safety.

Police have finalised search and rescue efforts and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

Updated

Gold Coast ‘not out of the woods’, New Year’s Eve events being assessed, says mayor

Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate said his city was “not out of the woods”, but forecasts for clearer weather would allow the SES to attend 800 storm-damaged homes.

He urged residents to check on vulnerable neighbours and not to attend hospital unless it was an emergency due to a 30% spike in admissions linked to power outages.

We are assessing all the New Year’s Eve event venues right now because it is going to be very warm and if there’s fire danger (from fireworks) we might have to cancel some.

– AAP

Updated

Images are coming in on social media of the hailstorm that has hit Sydney:

Updated

Moreton Bay capsize victim identified

One of the men who has died after a boat capsized off Green Island in Moreton Bay has been identified by the school he taught at.

Iona College in Brisbane said their “loved” staff member, Stephen Tait, was on board the boat and has passed away.

In a post to Facebook, the college said:

At this sad time, we hold firmly in our prayers Steve’s family, his friends, his colleagues and the wider Iona community. This is an extremely challenging time for many people.

The school said it would open its chapel on Thursday and Friday this week, with members of the community welcome to drop in to pray or reflect.

Updated

Wind and hail as three Sydney storm cells merge

The three storm cells that were moving towards Sydney have now merged into one “squall line”, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Winds and some hail are expected as the line passes overhead.

It is forecast to affect Hornsby, Parramatta, Sutherland, Sydney airport and Sydney Olympic Park by 2.50pm and Sydney City, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Mona Vale and waters off Bondi Beach by 3.20pm.

Updated

Severe thunderstorm warning for third cell in Sydney area

The Bureau of Meteorology said there are three storm cells currently impacting NSW and the situation is “evolving rapidly”.

At 1.55pm, severe thunderstorms were detected near Wollongong, Campbelltown and Riverstone, moving towards the east.

They are forecast to affect Hornsby, Parramatta, Sutherland and Sydney Olympic Park by 2.25pm and Sydney City, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Terrey Hills by 2.55pm.

Another update is due in the next 15-30 minutes, the Bureau said.

Updated

Plibersek pays tribute to Bill Granger

Environment minister and Sydney MP Tanya Plibersek has paid tribute to renowned Australian cook Bill Granger, who has passed away aged 54.

In a post to X/Twitter, Plibersek said:

So very sad to hear of the death of Bill Granger. His cafes and books have given so much pleasure to so many. A Sydney icon. Condolences to his family and many friends.

Tributes have been flowing all day for Granger, who died surrounded by his family in London on Christmas Day. You can read more of these below:

Updated

Darren Chester says Buchan flood damage ‘a hell of a mess’

Gippsland MP Darren Chester has visited Buchan after it was hit by flash flooding late on Boxing Day, leaving one woman dead.

The woman died after a campground in east Gippsland was hit by flash flooding last night.

In a post to Facebook, Chester said the campground would be closed “for the foreseeable future” as emergency crews investigate the tragic death.

He also noted the work of Parks Victoria in moving campers to higher ground when the flash flooding first hit:

We could’ve experienced even greater injuries and loss of life in the perilous conditions which developed extraordinarily quickly, if it wasn’t for their actions. Thank you to everyone who helped.

He described the scenes on the ground “more like an inland tsunami” than a thunderstorm, with significant property loss and damage to Parks Victoria infrastructure.

It’s a hell of a mess and my thoughts are with the family of the woman who was killed along with the Parks Victoria staff and emergency workers dealing with this traumatic event.

Buchan is still open for visitors and the township will appreciate your support in the days and weeks ahead.

Updated

New severe thunderstorm warnings for Sydney and NSW south coast

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued two new severe thunderstorm warnings just now, one for Sydney and one for the NSW south coast.

The Bureau is forecasting large hailstones and heavy winds for parts of Sydney, Wollondilly/Wingecarribee and Greater Wollongong areas.

Along the south coast, large hailstones and damaging winds are also forecast for the Illawarra, Central Tablelands and Hunter forecast districts.

Updated

National thunderstorm death toll reaches nine

With Queensland police confirming a the death of a second woman at the Kidd Bridge in Gympie, and a third death in relation to the capsized boat in Moreton Bay, the national death toll from the east coast thunderstorms now stands at nine.

This includes:

  • Three men aged 48, 59 and 69, confirmed dead after a boat capsized south of Green Island in Moreton Bay, Queensland.

  • A nine-year-old girl, who was found after being lost in stormwater drains in Brisbane’s southern suburbs.

  • A 40-year-old woman, one of three swept into a stormwater drain by the Kidd Bridge in Gympie.

  • A woman died after a campground in east Gippsland was hit by flash flooding.

  • A 59-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree on the Gold Coast.

  • A man was killed after a branch fell on his property in Caringal, Victoria.

  • A 46-year-old woman, who was also swept into floodwaters by the Kidd Bridge was recovered around midday.

The bodies of two of the three people who were swept into floodwaters in Gympie have now been found. The other woman made it to safety.

Updated

‘It took down a concrete power line’

Miles said the storms over the past few days have been “unprecedented”, pointing to the fact that concrete power lines had fallen:

That storm, the day before yesterday in particular, it took down a concrete power line. It is the first time we have ever had a concrete power line destroyed by storm.

That is pretty significant, that is unprecedented …

Updated

Cost of Queensland storm damage in the ‘billions’, Miles says, as disaster funding activated for Gold Coast

The Queensland premier, Steven Miles, has also been speaking to the media about the response to the disastrous thunderstorms.

Miles said the disaster and hardship funding arrangements have now been activated for the Gold Coast.

He said there are 450 energy workers out and about currently trying to reconnect power to people’s homes.

About 900 power lines were taken down in the storms and 25,000 homes have now been connected, Miles said.

We have now activated the disaster [and] hardship funding arrangements for the Gold Coast, so people on the Gold Coast affected by the disaster can apply for those hardship payments now.

Miles anticipates the damage caused by the recent thunderstorms will be in the “billions” when combined with the impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

Updated

‘It is quite a significant marine tragedy in Queensland’

Queensland police have urged the community to stay safe amid a tragic few days of weather for the east coast.

The officer said “all aspects” of the capsized boat tragedy would be investigated.

I won’t be able to talk about the causation of what of might have occurred, but the weather will play a central role. We will look at all aspects. It is quite a significant marine tragedy in Queensland.

Yesterday was the six consecutive day that Queensland was battered by storms … what we have seen, not just on the water, but on the roads around storm drains, around running water, it is extremely dangerous.

The officer thanked the Queensland coastguard for their “exceptional bravery” in responding to theincident:

There were some more injuries to water police, but they are recovering well and they will be OK.

Condolences go out to the families of those three killed and all the people that were involved on that boat … it would have been very harrowing for them all.

Updated

Third body found after boat capsizes off Brisbane

Queensland police are providing an update to the media on the boat that capsized near Green Island in Morton Bay on Boxing Day.

They have confirmed the bodies of three men have been recovered from the water. Two men were earlier confirmed dead. The men were aged 48, 59 and 69.

The police officer said a huge storm came over Moreton Bay, off the coast of Brisbane, on Tuesday and a 49-foot yacht capsized.

There were 11 men on the boat at the time on an annual fishing trip.

Eight people were rescued and a search operation was commenced immediately.

[The eight people] were transported to Manly Marina where a extensive triage process was set up and transported those people to hospital. I have been advised all those people do not have life-threatening and juries.

Sadly, over the course of the last 18 hours, three people have been recovered deceased from the waters following this incident.

Updated

Large hail stones hit Bateau Bay on NSW Central Coast

Meteorologist Ben Domensino said a thunderstorm passed through Bateau Bay in New South Wales earlier this afternoon, dropping hail stones larger than 2cm:

The Bureau of Meteorology’s radar is showing a fair bit of storm activity in the Sydney region and up to the Central Coast. At this stage, there are no thunderstorm warnings in place.

Have you had a hail storm at your house today? Feel free to share your photos with us on X, @emilywindwrites, or via email: emily.wind@theguardian.com.

Updated

Victorian town of Elmore told ‘do not drink’ tap water

The small Victorian town of Elmore, north east of Bendigo, is still unable to safely drink their tap water.

Coliban Water alerted that it was unsafe for residents to drink the tap water from 1.30pm on Christmas Day. An alert issued today warned that the “do not drink” advisory remains in place “until further notice”.

Please note, the water is safe for showering and bathing but ensure you do not ingest the water.

We expect it will be several days before Elmore’s water network returns to normal, and before the ‘do not drink’ advisory can be lifted, in consultation with the Department of Health.

Coliban Water said the cause of the issue was a fault with the alarm system, which caused the local water treatment plant to stop running.

In addition, at the time of the fault, our region was receiving heavy rain and intense weather.

Water supply has since been restored, noting the do not drink advisory remains in place. We will be adding chlorine to the water supply in the short term, as we resume water production.

Updated

Albanese pays tribute to storm victims and thanks emergency crews

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has paid tribute to those who have lost their lives in the disastrous east coast thunderstorms, and thanked emergency personnel for their tireless work.

In a series of posts to X/Twitter, Albanese said Australians are facing floods, fires and storms this summer, but “the worst of times brings out the best in the Australian character”.

He said:

Such sad news overnight of at least four Australians losing their lives in severe weather, including a nine year old girl in Brisbane. My heart goes out to the families of those Australians who have lost their lives – and to the communities taking care of them.

While many Australians are enjoying their well-earned holidays, our essential services and emergency personnel are working gruelling shifts to keep the lights on and to keep us safe.

I want to thank you all. Your jobs are tough, especially on days like today.

As communities across Australia experience fires, floods and storms, we can help by remaining vigilant. We can help by following emergency updates online or on radio, and looking out for neighbours and friends.

Updated

Weather calming but will get ‘very hot’ in Queensland and northern NSW

Howell said a calming trend is on its way as we get closer to New Year’s Eve:

It will get very hot across Queensland and northern NSW and Brisbane, going for a scorching 36 degrees tomorrow and into the high 30s for northern NSW and the rest of south-east Queensland.

For the rest of the south-east of the country, remaining quite cool but definitely will be a lot calmer.

From Saturday, we do see a return to showers and storms across the east coast, particularly for NSW and Queensland.

Updated

Thunderstorm risk remains across much of east coast

Jonathan Howell from the Bureau of Meteorology just provided a weather update to the ABC.

He said there is a thunderstorm risk across the east coast, all the way from the New South Wales-Queensland border up into the Whitsundays and tropics, including Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Further south in NSW there is a severe risk of thunderstorms near Lismore, the south of Sydney and down to the Victorian border.

In Victoria, there is a risk of severe thunderstorms across Gippsland, potentially creeping into the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

There is also a risk of heavy rainfall in northern Tasmania.

An electrical storm at Reedy Creek on the Gold Coast on Monday.
An electrical storm at Reedy Creek on the Gold Coast on Monday. Photograph: Dave Hunt/AAP

Updated

Campers along Victoria’s Avoca River told to relocate

Campers along the banks of the Avoca River near Charlton in Victoria have been asked to relocate after the Bureau of Meteorology issued a moderate flood warning for the region.

The Avoca River is set to peak as high as seven metres, affecting campers at Gordon Park and the Charlton caravan park.

Updated

Shark warning at Cape Conran in Victoria’s east

The Victorian Fisheries Authority has warned of increased shark activity at Cape Conran due to a whale carcass:

A whale carcass can attract sharks to the area and mean they are closer to the shore than normal.

While it is not uncommon for sharks to be present off the Victorian coast, you should exercise additional caution in the area.

People are urged not to enter the water at closed beaches, and to call triple zero or notify lifesavers if they see a shark.

Updated

Victoria ‘past the worst of it’ but flood risk remains, SES says

Victorian SES state agency commander Alistair Drayton said the weather was beginning to ease and “we’re certainly past the worst of it”, but warned of continued flooding.

He told 3AW:

Not to say the catchments and tributaries aren’t still flowing and that’s one of the things we need to keep watching today.

As the weather improves, Victorians are warned to be careful when swimming as the rain has swept contaminants across Port Phillip Bay and into the ocean.

EPA Victoria chief environmental scientist Mark Taylor said water quality remained poor for up to 48 hours after heavy rain:

Higher levels of enterococci, waterborne contaminants, bring an increased risk of skin rashes, eye irritations and even gastro, for people and their pets if they are swimming in poor quality water.

As we flagged earlier only 13 beaches around Port Phillip Bay are considered “fair” to swim in.

– with AAP

Updated

Queensland premier ‘heartbroken’ by deaths

Queensland premier Steven Miles has paid tribute to those who have died amid the destructive storms in south-east Queensland.

In a post to X/Twitter, he wrote:

I’m heartbroken to hear of the people who died overnight from the destructive storms in South East Queensland. Every Queenslander will have those families in our thoughts and prayers.

Please stay safe Queensland, stay away from fallen power lines and from flooded waterways.

There are still homes without power. The storms have made restoring power safely extraordinarily difficult but energex workers are working around the clock to get the lights back on.

As of 10.15am local time, 91,995 south-east Queenslanders were without power, according to Energex.

Downed powerlines and fallen trees in Queensland’s south-east.
Downed powerlines and fallen trees in Queensland’s south-east. Photograph: CoastfishTV

Updated

‘Please take care’

Emergency management minister Murray Watt has urged people to take care amid the “dangerous conditions summer is bringing”.

In a post to X/Twitter, he wrote:

So sad to see more tragic loss of life from severe storms, along with a volunteer firefighter in WA. Pls take care in the dangerous conditions summer is bringing.

Updated

Thunderstorms possible in NSW and ACT

Isolated thunderstorms are likely over eastern parts of NSW and the ACT today.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that severe thunderstorms are possible in the state’s south-east, and for the far north coast and adjacent ranges.

Updated

Storm alert for Port Douglas

The Bureau of Meteorology says severe thunderstorms are possible today in the eastern districts south of Port Douglas, Queensland.

But there is a less than 10% chance of “very dangerous” thunderstorms developing.

Updated

What we know so far

The severe thunderstorms that have lashed Australia’s east coast have brought disastrous hail and flash flooding, claiming the lives of seven people and leaving others missing.

Here is what we know so far. The seven people confirmed to have lost their lives amid the thunderstorms include:

• Two men were confirmed dead after a boat capsized south of Green Island in Moreton Bay, Queensland.
• A nine-year-old girl whose body was found after she was feared lost in stormwater drains in Brisbane.
• A 40-year-old woman, one of three swept into flood waters by the Kidd Bridge in Gympie.
• A woman died after a campground in east Gippsland was hit by flash flooding.
• A 59-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree on the Gold Coast.
• A man was killed after a branch fell on his property in Caringal, Victoria.

Two people remain missing, including:

• One 46-year-old woman in Gympie, one of three who were swept into the water by the Kidd Bridge. One woman was confirmed dead, and the third managed to get to safety.
• One man remains missing after the boat capsized in Moreton Bay.

In terms of the south-east Queensland power outages, Energex says 92,279 people were without power at 9.45am local time.

Updated

Second body found after boat capsized, taking storm death toll to seven

Queensland police commissioner Katarina Carroll has just confirmed that a second body has been found after a large boat capsized in Queensland near Green Island, in Moreton Bay, with 11 people on board.

The search found one body yesterday but two people had not been accounted for when it was suspended just before midnight. The search operation recommenced early today.

Carroll said:

The events have certainly taken a tragic turn in the south-east, so I ask that everyone heeds those warnings, they listen to authorities, they stay out of the dangerous conditions.

This takes the national death toll in relation to the east coast thunderstorms to seven.

Updated

Woman and dog rescued in Werribee

A woman was rescued yesterday after she was found clinging to a tree in rising waters after jumping into a river to rescue her dog, AAP reports.

The 29-year-old waded into the Werribee River, west of Melbourne, to rescue her dog, Minka, about 1.30pm yesterday, police said.

But she lost her footing and was swept about 20m downstream, near Redgum Close, Werribee.

A bystander noticed the woman holding on to a tree in the rapid waters and called emergency services.

Water Police and search and rescue members pulled the woman and Minka on to the riverbank, where they were found not to be seriously injured.

Emergency workers rescue a 29-year-old woman found clutching a tree in the Werribee River
Emergency workers rescue a 29-year-old woman found clutching a tree in the Werribee River. Photograph: Victoria police

Updated

Power still out for tens of thousands of people in Queensland

According to energy provider Energex, more than 86,000 people in south-east Queensland are still without power after the severe thunderstorm on Monday night.

Many households and businesses have now been without power for more than 24 hours, according to posts on social media:

Updated

Cricket begins

Day two of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and Pakistan has just started in Melbourne. You can follow the latest on our separate live blog here:

Updated

Beach pollution alert for Port Phillip Bay

The Environmental Protection Authority of Victoria says only 13 beaches around Port Phillip Bay are “fair” to swim in, after the heavy rains and thunderstorms.

Twenty-three beaches are considered to be in “poor” condition, including all four swimming sites on the Yarra, due to stormwater pollution.

According to the EPA, “fair” locations “may not be suitable for swimming” while “poor” swimming spots are “not suitable for swimming”.

You can view the full map on their website here.

Updated

Firefighter dead as bushfire threatens homes in WA

A volunteer firefighter has died while responding to a bushfire threatening homes near Esperance in Western Australia’s south, AAP reports.

The man was part of a crew in a private firefighting vehicle responding to the blaze near Coomalbidgup, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said last night.

Ambulance crews were called to the fireground yesterday afternoon after a man was understood to have fallen from a firetruck, the West Australian reported.

The fire began on Tuesday morning and burnt more than 7,000 hectares.

DFES said there would be an investigation into the man’s death and WA police would prepare a report for the coroner.

Several emergency-level bushfires have engulfed homes and ripped through bushland, rural properties and suburbs on Perth’s fringes, while firefighters have battled dozens of blazes across the state.

Firefighters douse smouldering trees after a bushfire went through Parkerville in Perth this month
Firefighters douse smouldering trees after a bushfire went through Parkerville in Perth this month. Photograph: Aaron Bunch/AAP

Updated

Flood warning issued in Victoria

A moderate flood warning has been issued for the Avoca River in Charlton, Victoria.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that moderate flooding is expected at Charlton, with a flood peak of 7m possible later this morning.

The Avoca River at Charlton is now at 5.88m and rising.

Campers in Gordon park are encouraged to relocate to higher ground as the high river levels may impact the campground.

Updated

Gold Coast train lines suspended

Gold Coast train lines have been suspended between Beenleigh and Varsity Lakes stations due to the earlier thunderstorms.

Translink advised that Beenleigh line trains have now resumed between Beenleigh and Banoon.

Delays of up to 30 minutes can be expected, with replacement buses carrying passengers.

Updated

WA storm warning downgraded

Early this morning an emergency thunderstorm warning was issued for the Kimberley region in WA but this has just been downgraded.

Emergency WA said:

The thunderstorms warning for Kimberley has been cancelled.

The immediate threat of severe thunderstorms has passed, but the situation will continue to be monitored and further warnings will be issued if necessary.

Updated

Girl’s body found in stormwater drain

QFES deputy commissioner Kevin Walsh said the circumstances surrounding the death of a nine-year-old girl – whose body was found after she was feared lost in stormwater drains in Brisbane – were yet to be determined:

That will be subject to a report from the coroner. Police are investigating the matter at the moment so I don’t have the specific details, other than the young child went missing behind some properties and our swift water rescue teams from the fire and rescue service and SES attended a short time later.

We found the young girl deceased some way down from where she went into the water. Tragic circumstances.

The girl’s family, from Rochedale South, “are requesting privacy at this difficult time”.

Updated

Gympie search continues

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services deputy commissioner Kevin Walsh said the search was continuing for a woman who was swept into flood waters in Gympie, along with two others.

The body of a 40-year-old woman was found in the Mary River, while one 46-year-old woman managed to reach safety. Another woman, also 46, remains missing.

Asked whether the search was now a recovery mission, Walsh told ABC News:

All services will be returning today to try and find the third person, but we have got grave concerns for their safety, obviously.

Updated

Search for missing swimmer

A search has resumed for a teenager who was swept out to sea on a New South Wales south coast beach yesterday.

About 3.30pm emergency services were called to Congo beach (10km south of Moruya) after a man was reported missing in the surf.

Police were informed that the 19-year-old had rescued a family member from the surf but then became caught in a rip and was swept out to sea. A search was “immediately commenced” but he could not be located.

The search resumed at 7am today involving police, PolAir, marine area command plus surf lifesavers, marine rescue and the Westpac rescue helicopter.

Updated

Welcome

Good morning, I’m Emily Wind and I’ll be with you on the Australia news live blog today.

Making news so far this Wednesday morning: the death toll from Australia’s Christmas storms has risen to six, with three more people missing. You can read the full details on this here.

Angus Hines of the Bureau of Meteorology said conditions were forecast to ease by this afternoon:

By and large by Wednesday afternoon we’re starting to see the end in sight for this thunderstorm outbreak.

NSW police have resumed a search for a 19-year-old swimmer who went missing in the surf off a south coast beach yesterday afternoon. We’ll have more on this shortly.

And the Australian cook and restaurateur Bill Granger has died in London aged 54, his family has confirmed.

See something that needs attention on the blog? You can get in touch on X/Twitter @emilywindwrites or send me an email: emily.wind@theguardian.com.

With that, let’s get started.

Updated

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