"You continually need to re-assess your road travel and particularly now the winds are on the coastline, any boating or surf-related activities."

Meanwhile, five people were injured in a crash at Woodlands, south of Gatton, including one person who was taken to Ipswich Hospital in a critical condition, the Queensland Ambulance Service said.

A 21-year-old woman was also rescued outside Alpha after her car was swept off the Capricorn highway.

On Brisbane's northside, the car park of Toombul shopping centre was flooded and pictures emerged on social media showing vehicles apparently being swept away.

The wild weather also spelled the end for an iconic decades-old fig tree at Brisbane's Normanby Hotel, which crashed into an outdoor seating area.

However, Queensland's emergency services said they were happy with how residents had kept safe during the downpour.

Overall, residents had heeded warnings to stay safe and prepare well, said Queensland Fire and Rescue Deputy Commissioner Mark Roche, although some were still engaging in foolhardy behaviour.

"There are some people that are still, at this moment, driving through floodwaters," he said.

Mr Roche urged parents to speak with children about staying away from floodwaters amid reports some were playing in dangerous areas.

Southeast Queensland has been soaked as a strong upper trough moved south, some of the heaviest falls occurring in the Gold Coast hinterland.

The Bureau of Meteorology said Upper Springbrook had received 267mm of rain in a 24-hour period, while 157mm fell at Deception Bay and 140mm at Burpengary.

"Our severe weather warning remains in place," Bureau of Meteorology forecaster David Grant said.

Damaging wind gusts remained a possibility throughout the afternoon and one gust of 103km/h was recorded at Cape Moreton.

The SES had received more than 750 calls for help, but swiftwater rescue crews had not yet had to pluck anyone from the water.

AAP