Severe storms and flash flooding cause chaos Flooding caused many residents to abandon their cars. Picture Adam Smith Source: News Corp Australia BRISBANE is mopping up after one of the strongest, most devastating thunderstorms in years brought huge rainfall totals to the city in a period of just minutes. A massive thunderstorm struck the metropolitan area around 4:30pm local time, drenching the city, causing traffic chaos and leaving many people stranded by flash flooding and in need of rescue. The city received 55mm of rain in less than an hour, well over half the monthly average. Some suburbs reportedly received as much as 100m, with the highest official recording 87mm at Archerfield in the city's south. The blue zones indicate rainfall totals of up to 50mmm while the yellow means 50mm plus. Source: bom.gov.au. The devastating flooding this evening is a very, very different type of disaster to the January 2011 floods when the Brisbane river rose steadily over days. While there were devastating flash floods in areas like Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley in the summer of 2010/11, Brisbane itself suffered a slow inundation of low-lying areas of the city. It was only short-lived and is losing intensity now, but it saved its full fury for the Brisbane metro region. The short-lived but powerful storm came out of the south-west and is now moving out to sea, but emergency crews are currently reporting flooding right across the city, including the CBD, Fortitude Valley, Oxley, Inala, Bowen Hills, Kedron and Archerfield. An emergency services spokesman said swift water rescues were underway in Salisbury and Rocklea. The Salisbury incident involved two cars floating down the street, while in Rocklea three vehicles were stuck in floodwater in an underpass. "Water is just under the windows and we are still en route to that one," the spokesman told AAP. Rescues are also reportedly underway in Bowen Hills and Acacia Ridge, also due to flooding. Images posted on social media show cars being swept away in Bowen Hills, in inner Brisbane. While many major roads remain choked, things are just as bad on the city's rail lines. Queensland Rail issued a statement saying that storms and flash flooding have affected the network, with multiple issues, including water over the tracks, which has required the overhead power to be turned off through the CBD. Trains have been suspended due to flash flooding, including major city stations like Central, Roma St, Bowen Hills, Fortitude Valley, Albion, South Brisbane and Milton. Queensland Rail reports significant and asks customers to seek alternative transport. Commuters could be seen being turned back from Central station, unable to be told how long they would have to wait. There are also power outages across the city. The bureau says the storm pummelled Redbank Plains and Inala, in Brisbane's southwest, with 75mm of rain in 30 minutes. Energex says more than 1600 homes in the Brisbane city area have lost power. Police are reporting powerlines down over roads in the north Brisbane suburbs of Nundah and Northgate. Water has come through the roof of Toombul Shopping Centre, flooding the premises. A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said emergency crews had received 130 calls for assistance.