Kayaker found dead off Sydney beach as severe storms lash three states

Grim discovery in surf as Queensland braces for peak of wild weather on Monday

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published25 October 2026

Updated25 October 2026

Read Time1 min

Sources2 outlets

The body of a missing kayaker has been found in waters off Sydney’s Avalon Beach, as a dangerous weather system continues to batter three Australian states with multiple days of severe storms and flooding.

A search for a missing kayaker off Sydney’s Avalon Beach has ended in a grim discovery, as the Bureau of Meteorology warns of several more days of severe storms across three states.

The severe weather system has already prompted multiple flood warnings across Queensland. A Watch and Act alert is in place for the Central Highlands, where the Theresa Creek Dam catchment is rising. Residents in Clermont and surrounds were told to prepare for flooding, although the earlier Emergency Warning has been downgraded. In the state’s south-east, the Mary River at Tiaro is rising rapidly above moderate levels and may reach major flood levels.

Senior forecaster Felim Hanniffy said the system will move east and shift to the south-east by Monday. “There’s still multiple days of storms and potentially severe storms to come, with Monday probably the peak day in terms of south-east Queensland risk,” Mr Hanniffy said. “And it will be the trifecta – that’s large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall.”

Analysis

Why This Matters

The death of the kayaker underscores the immediate and lethal danger the wild weather poses to anyone venturing near the water during the storm.
The “trifecta” of large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall threatens widespread property damage, power outages and flash flooding across densely populated south-east Queensland.
With three states in the firing line and the system not forecast to peak until early next week, authorities are bracing for the situation to escalate further.

Background

The severe weather system has been generating intense storms across eastern Australia for several days. Queensland has been the focus of recent flooding, with multiple river catchments rising. The system is now forecast to intensify as it moves towards the coast, increasing the risk for NSW and Queensland simultaneously. The dangerous surf and weather conditions have already claimed a life, with the body of a missing kayaker found off Sydney’s Avalon Beach.

What to Watch

The path of the Mary River at Tiaro, which is rising rapidly and may reach major flood levels.
Whether Monday’s predicted peak in storm severity in south-east Queensland brings the forecast “trifecta”.
Any further emergency incidents as the dangerous weather and surf conditions continue across three states.

Sources

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 5 supported.

Show each claim

Not in the sourcesThe missing kayaker was found dead off a Sydney beach.7NEWS: “Search for missing kayaker ends in grim discovery in waters off Avalon Beach.”
Partly supportedThe body of the missing kayaker was found in waters off Sydney’s Avalon Beach.7NEWS: “Search for missing kayaker ends in grim discovery in waters off Avalon Beach.”
Partly supportedSevere storms are lashing three states.7NEWS: “Three states in the firing line as major weather system sets in”
Partly supportedQueensland is bracing for Monday to be the peak of wild weather.Just In: “There’s still multiple days of storms and potentially severe storms to come, with Monday probably the peak day in terms of south-east Queensland risk,”
Partly supportedThe weather system continues to batter three states with multiple days of severe storms and flooding.7NEWS: “Three states in the firing line as major weather system sets in”
Partly supportedThe Bureau of Meteorology warns of several more days of severe storms.Just In: “There’s still multiple days of storms and potentially severe storms to come, with Monday probably the peak day in terms of south-east Queensland risk,”
SupportedThe severe weather system has prompted multiple flood warnings across Queensland.Just In: “Several flood warnings have been issued across Queensland, as the state endures another day of heavy rain and residents brace for severe storms still to come.”
SupportedA Watch and Act alert is in place for the Central Highlands as the Theresa Creek Dam catchment is rising.Just In: “A Watch and Act alert has been issued for people in the Central Highlands as the river rises around the Theresa Creek Dam catchment area.”
SupportedClermont and surrounding residents were told to prepare for flooding, after an earlier Emergency Warning was downgraded.Just In: “Residents in Clermont and surrounding areas are being told to prepare now due to flooding, although the situation has been downgraded from an Emergency Warning earlier in the day.”
SupportedThe Mary River at Tiaro is rising rapidly above moderate levels and may reach major flood levels.Just In: “Flood gauges show the Mary River is rising rapidly above the moderate level, following days of heavy downpours.”
Partly supportedSenior forecaster Felim Hanniffy said the system will move east and shift to the south-east by Monday.Just In: “The Bureau of Meteorology warns a severe weather system over the state's inland area will move east today, shifting to the south-east by Monday and bringing more heavy rain.”
SupportedFelim Hanniffy said, “There’s still multiple days of storms and potentially severe storms to come, with Monday probably the peak day in terms of south-east Queensland risk.”Just In: ““There’s still multiple days of storms and potentially severe storms to come, with Monday probably the peak day in terms of south-east Queensland risk,” senior forecaster Felim Hanniffy said.”

Correction

25 October 2026An earlier version of this story omitted “that’s” from Felim Hanniffy’s quoted description of the storm hazards. His words were “And it will be the trifecta: that’s large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall.”