Skies to clear for People's Day at the Ekka after overnight flooding as record August rainfall hits southeast

Nellie Newman age 5 from The Gap enjoying the Ekka on a wet and windy day. The skies are expected to clear by late afternoon on people's Day. Picture: Darren England Source: The Courier-Mail

A wet side-show alley at the Ekka. The skies are expected to clear later on People's Day. Picture: Darren England Source: The Courier-Mail

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Overnight, police said "very heavy rain" was responsible for a mutliple-car crash on the Pacific Motorway at Juliet Street that blocked traffic for some time.

Elsewhere, a broken-down car at a flooded section of Kingsford Smith Drive prevented other motorists from getting through.

Nudgee Road, Abbotsford Road at Bowen Hills, Widdop Street at Nundah and the East-West Arterial were also under water late on Tuesday night, with Milton Road reportedly covered by up to a metre of water.

The deluge also led to debris floating down Creek Road at Cannon Hill.

The overnight rain is expected to clear on Wednesday morning for People's Day, with fine weather predicted in Brisbane for the rest of the show.

Queensland's Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Michelle Berry says between 50mm and 100mm of rain will fall throughout southeast Queensland on Tuesday night to Wednesday morning.

But she says Ekka goers will be pleased to know heavy showers in the early hours of the morning are expected to ease up throughout the rest of the day.

``I'm looking at rain easing up in the morning, so I guess if you had to choose a good time to go it would be in the afternoon,'' Ms Berry said.

``There will be isolated showers in the afternoon before clearing by late afternoon.''

Fine weather after days of wet weather is expected for the rest of the week - good news for people wanting to catch the last three days of the Ekka, which winds up on Saturday.

An Ekka spokeswoman says crowds have been strong despite the rain but stronger crowds are expected on Wednesday.

Royal National Association chief executive Jonathan Tunny said crowds were up more than 20 per cent on last year, boosting visitor numbers past the 240,000 mark.

Although heavy rain would have an impact, he hoped it would not deter too many on Wednesday, traditionally one of the show's busiest.

"We're lucky that so much of the show is in pavilions under cover," he said.

Beef cattle gave way to thoroughbred horses and dairy cattle judging on Tuesday, with fashions on the field damp but lively.

Thoroughbred industry identity and ring master Jan McMillan said prizes ranged to $2500, and millions of dollars worth of stock were on display.

"This is the best thoroughbred show of its type in Australia," Ms McMillan said. "We get people travelling up from Sydney and Melbourne to take part, so it'd take a lot of rain to put a dent in it.

"It's also a great chance for visitors to see these animals."

First-time show visitors Helena and Richard Holmes, of Gladstone, brought their granddaughter, Nellie Newman, 5, of The Gap in Brisbane.

"She was so excited she was awake from 5am," Ms Holmes said.

"We're having a great time.

"This is one of the things that was on our bucket list."

The weather bureau's forecast for Wednesday is rain clearing, with temperatures to 20C.

Fine and windy weather is predicted until next week.

Widespread rain has soaked the state's central-west.

After the first six days of the show, 14,500 people have seen the cotton and wool parades, 62,000 strawberry sundaes have been sold and about 120,000 dagwood dogs.

The Country Women's Association has baked 3000 scones and more than 80,000 people have trooped through the animal nursery, making it one the most popular attractions.

In the Little Miracles Newborn Corner, 70 lambs have been born, including six sets of twins, and Darrell Lea showbags are a clear favourite.