"We are seeing intense rainfall, potentially leading to life-threatening flash flooding, particularly around the northern Gold Coast area," he said.

"The weir rose to 8.3 metres around about midday, which is more than two metres above its major flood level of six metres, and that is 2.5 metres above its record at that location.

"We're likely to see some likely effects ongoing."

Warnings have been issued for both the Coomera and Nerang Rivers as the bureau monitors the situation.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has told those near the Coomera River and Saltwater Creek in Oxenford, Hope Island and Helensvale to monitor the situation and "move to higher ground" if required.

Further major flood warnings have been issued for the Logan and Albert rivers at Beaudesert and Beenleigh, with peaks expected into Thursday night.

Minor flood levels are also predicted along the Lockyer, Laidley and Warrill creeks, as well as the Bremer River at Walloon.

A severe thunderstorm warning for heavy rain remained in place across the Logan, Scenic Rim and Gold Coast areas, with reports of flash flooding on Mount Tamborine.

The Sunshine Coast bore the brunt of heavy falls overnight, however, with 232 millimetres recorded at the airport since 9am Thursday – its highest daily total on record.

Flooding saw residents of a Mount Coolum aged care home and unit block evacuated, with 19 swift water rescues and 320 calls for State Emergency Service help across the state.

Multiple schools across the Sunshine and Gold Coasts told their students to remain home on Thursday because of flooding or road closures.

Most Gold Coast beaches, along with Dreamworld, Wet'N'Wild and Movie World have also been closed due to the severe weather.

Authorities warned motorists to take care across the south-east with localised and river flooding impacting many roads.

At Bribie Island, 186 millimetres of rain was received in the 24 hours to Thursday morning, while most of greater Brisbane recorded between 50 and 100 millimetres, including a 109 millimetre total at Deagon.

Large parts of the Gold Coast had also already recorded more than 100 millimetres before the Thursday downpour.

In the Tallebudgera Valley, where a number of creeks have swollen, police were searching for a woman last seen walking near Gorge Falls.

Concerns are held for 26-year-old Yang Chen, with police unsure whether she had fallen, become lost, or walked out to nearby Tallebudgera Creek or Springbrook road.

Further north, a 75-year-old kayaker last seen at the weekend was found dead after an extensive search by police, swift water and SES crews on the flooded Mary River at Conondale.

The man's body was discovered close to his car, which was found Wednesday, with authorities saying it was too early to tell whether the man drowned or suffered a medical incident.

Flooding at Chinchilla and Condamine in the Western Downs is also expected to peak above major levels from Friday and into the weekend as waters recede around Dalby.

The weather bureau expects the rain to ease heading into the weekend, as ex-Tropical Cyclone Uesi brings hazardous surf conditions to the coast and a heatwave descends on the north of the state.