Australia: Chaos as monsoon storm blows in

THE central west of Queensland was bracing for the onslaught of a monsoonal storm cell from the Gulf of Carpentaria last night, as more than 1200 properties remained isolated in northeast NSW as flood warnings were upgraded for the swollen Clarence River.

In low-lying parts of Lawrence, downstream from the NSW town of Grafton, residents were on alert to flee in another day of weather chaos across two states.

Motorists ignored warning signs to drive into floodwaters, as torrential rain, hail and savage storms battered Queensland's southeast.

Swiftwater rescue teams in southeast Queensland carried out six retrievals, prompting emergency services to voice frustration that people were still not heeding warnings against entering flooded roads.

"People are not using their common sense," said Gold Coast emergency responder Ray Ware. Read More