Residents flee as Qld's Dalby floods

RESIDENTS in the southeast Queensland town of Dalby are fleeing floodwaters as the expected peak of 3.2 metres could go even higher.

Western Downs Mayor Ray Brown says water from the Myall Creek started entering homes when the level reached 2.8m.

"Power has been off to some homes since 4.30pm (AEST), which is what we knew would happen when water flooded in, and residents and the travelling public are being moved to safe areas," he told AAP just before midnight on Saturday.

The peak was expected to be 3.32 metres before midnight but could go higher, Mr Brown said.

Dalby Showgrounds has become a safe area but Mr Brown said it wasn't a fully-fledged evacuation centre.

Visitors to the area had moved their caravans from camp grounds to the showgrounds.

"Residents in southeast Queensland have been given flood warnings, with people in the Lockyer Valley told to evacuate if needed.

An emergency alert was issued for the Lockyer Valley region, west of Brisbane, on Saturday night.

The Lockyer Valley regional council has advised residents to monitor the situation and evacuate themselves if necessary.

Flooding is expected for Forest Hill, Laidley, Glenore Grove and areas downstream.

An emergency flood warning has also been issued for Banana Shire Council.

"There is an imminent threat through a Grevillea Creek flood," a statement from the Department of Community Safety said at 10.30pm on Saturday.

"There is an immediate threat to life or property. Leave the area now or go to higher ground."

It's another blow to residents who experienced significant flooding on the Australia Day weekend and a severe flood two years ago.

The council is also monitoring the nearby towns of Chinchilla and Moonie which are on flood alert.

Heavy rain has also fallen in the regions around Mackay, Bundaberg and Rockhampton on the state's central coast and the Gold Coast in the southeast.

Forecasters expect about 100mm of rain to fall on Bundaberg in the next 24 hours.

The Bureau of Meteorology has advised the rain will continue in the short term and there will be heavy falls later this month.

It has issued 13 flood warnings, most of which are for the state's southeast region.

Bureau of meteorology senior hydrologist Andy Barnes said late on Saturday the impact of the floods affecting the state were relatively minor at the moment.

"It's fairly widespread flooding affecting quite a few catchments," he said.

"Although we'll see continued rain over the southeast for about the next 12 hours it won't be too intense.

"At this stage we're not expecting there to be any real worsening of the situation we've got."

Mr Barnes said moderate to heavy rain may fall on Sunday, but that that is expected further west to where most of the flood warnings have been issued.

Meanwhile the government is keeping a close eye on its dams in the southeast.

Water Supply Minister Mark McArdle says releasing water from the dams will reduce the risk of flooding.

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