SEVERE thunderstorms have swept across Queensland's southeast, with flash-flooding washing away hundreds of cars down Brisbane roads.
The storms struck at about noon (AEST) today, producing thousands of lightning strikes, strong winds and heavy rain.
Strathpine, Brisbane and Logan were among the hardest hit areas.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said the Brisbane CBD received more than 92mm of rain since 10am (AEST), leaving some of the city's roads under water and bringing traffic to a standstill.
Weatherzone.com.au reported the city received its heaviest 10-minute downpour of rain in at least eight years, receiving 25mm just after 11.40am (AEST).
Other suburbs that experienced heavy downfalls included Rochedale (105mm), Priestdale (99mm) and Carbrook (93mm).
In the Brisbane westside suburb of Milton, localised flooding carried cars down streets, with reports of over 200 cars being washed away between Milton and Windsor.
One Milton resident, Tom Goldman, tried to drive his car through the severely flooded Haig Road, only to have the engine stall.
Despite the damage to his vehicle, he said he had no regrets running the gauntlet through the one-metre-deep water.
"Because feeling the sensation of floating in a car down a street is something that everyone has to experience at least once in their life,'' he said.
Further down Haig Road, a commercial artist - who wanted to be known only as Raj - said the water had risen over his house's front step and damaged his carpet.
"Come in, please take pictures, it may even help me with my insurance claim,'' he said.
Vehicles in Woolloongabba and East Brisbane were also swamped and the Department of Transport's computer systems in Spring Hill were flooded, forcing the evacuation of the building's two lowest levels.
Meanwhile, the lower levels of the Bank of Queensland and Vodafone businesses in the CBD were also flooded.
Energex said more than 70,000 homes and businesses between the Sunshine Coast and Beenleigh were at one stage affected by power outages.
They have also recorded thousands of lightning strikes.
People have been warned not to swim in flooded creeks or drive their cars through floodwaters.
The Department of Community Safety says while they have not yet had to make any rescues, State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers responded to 75 jobs, including roof leaks and minor flooding.
The wild weather shut down a rail line in Brisbane and Queensland Rail (QR) has advised passengers on all train lines to expect delays of up to 30 minutes.
Alternative transport is being arranged between Dutton Park and Yeerongpilly stations, and 90-minute delays are expected, QR says.
Rail and bus passengers across the commuter network have also been warned to expect delays of up to 45 minutes.
Meanwhile the weather bureau is warning that severe thunderstorms are on the way for areas between Gympie near the Sunshine Coast and Beaudesert west of the Gold Coast this evening.
Very heavy rainfall and flash flooding are likely.
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