Residents see cows wash away in Qld flood

Residents are leaving properties at Lowmead and Baffle Creek as floodwaters begin to rise in parts of central Queensland due to major rainfall.

Gladstone Regional Council deputy mayor Chris Trevor told AAP forced evacuations have not taken place although some residents have chosen to leave their homes.

Mr Trevor said council and emergency agencies remain on high alert and will "closely monitor" the situation.

"It's an unfolding event. Things could change in an instant," he said, suggesting worried residents should contact the council.

Lowmead resident Jess Keenan said she watched her cows become washed away in the floodwaters.

"Unfortunately I watched four of our pet cows try and swim for their lives this morning and we have seen so far that only one made it alive," Mrs Keenan said.

"The heifers broke my heart, they were on a small patch of grass by a fence, as the water rose they had no choice but to swim. Unfortunately they swam into a heavy rainforest area with deep gullies instead of toward us."

Mrs Keenan is at home with her six-year-old and eight-month old daughters and their 18-year-old au pair from the Netherlands.

"We are surrounded by flowing water on three sides," the equine learning facilitator said.

She said they lost power around midday and will relocate to higher ground if conditions change.

She fears more water is set to come from the Baffle Creek catchment.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a major flood warning on Wednesday for Baffle Creek as well as Kolan River, Boyne River and Calliope River.

Earlier on Wednesday up to 14 Queensland schools and seven child care centres were closed due to flooding.

The emergency closures were caused by unsafe conditions for students and staff, the Department of Education said in a statement.

Numerous road closures have taken place, including the Bruce Highway which was closed in four directions near Miriam Vale due to flash flooding.