"Dangerous" flooding on Queensland's Sunshine Coast is predicted to get worse in the next 24-36 hours, with flood levels expected to reach record highs.
Residents have been warned to stay home as intense rainfall continues to lash south-east Queensland.
The entire region from Noosa to Caloundra, and across the hinterland, has experienced major flooding and meteorologists predict further river rises could see peaks as high — or higher — than the last major flood event 30 years ago in 1992.
The Sunshine Coast has faced deluge after deluge for four days, as a stubborn weather system lingered over towns and communities west of Noosa, flooding homes, washing away livestock and leaving residents stranded.
STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH THE QUEENSLAND FLOOD HEREPomona, in the Noosa hinterland, received a massive 1,300 millimetres of rain in the past week, 500mm of that in the 24 hours to 9am Saturday.
Flooding and landslips have closed roads, communities have been isolated, homes and businesses have been inundated, and some have been without power for more than 24 hours.
Huge amounts of stormwater have interfered with the sewerage network, causing toilets and pipes to gurgle, and some pipes to overflow.
Authorities are searching for a person reported missing at Yandina.
Emergency services have responded to almost 200 calls for help in the past 24 hours, mostly for help with flooding and leaking roofs.
There has been major flooding at Palmview, Cooran, Dagun Pocket and Woodford, and is predicted at Tewantin, Yandina Creek, Maroochydore and Coochin Creek late on Saturday.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said flood risks at Tewantin, Picnic Point and Dunethin Rock were a concern, and were being monitored closely.
She has urged residents in those areas to listen closely to weather and flood warnings into Saturday evening.
The Bureau of Meteorology's Harry Clarke said it was a "particularly dangerous situation", with a lot more rain to come across the weekend.
"It's only going to get worse, unfortunately," he said.
"Since then we've seen a lot of development throughout the Sunshine Coast so there is the potential for much more damage with this water."
Flood increasing like a wave
Buderim resident Karen Bishop said the water came "like a wave" through her house, entering the back and flowing out the front doors.
"I was having lunch and even though it looked close behind the house, I didn't feel the threat, until I had my daughter-in-law come out to say the water was flooding across the road and it was torrential," she said.
She said it took eight-and-a-half hours to clean up the mess.
"It was unbelievable, it was rapid-like all the way up the road," she said.
"You think, 'When is it going to stop?'"
She said friends had helped her lay dozens of sandbags to help prevent another inundation.
Keith Atkinson was one of those friends making and carting sandbags.
"Seen lots of floods. This is probably teetering on one of the best," he said.
"We're getting a few sandbags in case the rains come again, which it looks like it will if you look at the radar."
'If it's flooded, forget it'
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson has urged people to stay home, and to stay off the roads.
"Don't forget to check on your neighbours and remember pets need to be safe during severe weather events as well."
