Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred smashes Moreton Bay
By Nick Crockford and Kylie Knight
UPDATE 10.30PM: Moreton Bay City Council has just issued a Watch and Act Alert following advice from the Bureau of Meteorology that a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Intense Rainfall is expected to impact some or all of the region soon. People should stay indoors now to be safe.
UPDATE 10PM: The Bureau of Meteorology warns severe thunderstorms have been detected near Strathpine, Redcliffe, Crohamhurst, Maleny, Archerfield and Logan Village.
They are forecast to affect Aspley, Albany Creek, Mount Beerwah and Peachester by 10.05pm and Brisbane CBD, Beaudesert, the area between Boonah and Beaudesert and Woodford by 10.35pm.
UPDATE 8.10PM: Schools across the Moreton Bay region have been assessing whether they can reopen tomorrow. Here's how you can check which schools will reopen or remain closed.
Those NOT reopening are being listed on the State Government's School Closures website - https://closures.qld.gov.au/schools/html
The site can also be accessed through Council's Disaster Dashboard - https://disaster.moretonbay.ql...
Those not listed on the website WILL be opening tomorrow.
Schools are also posting updates on their websites and social media pages, some explaining why they will not reopen.
For example, Clontarf Beach State High School says it will remain closed due to the impact of power outages, clearing debris and risk assessment.
Albany Creek State High School has posted it will be open for "supervision only" for children of emergency services personnel, essential workers or those experiencing vulnerability. An email has been sent to parents and students.
Morayfield State High School says it WILL reopen tomorrow.
The number of homes across Moreton Bay region without power is now around 36,000 - down from 67,000 at its peak.
Energex crews are working to reconnect everyone. For details of outages go to Council's Disaster Dashboard https://disaster.moretonbay.ql...
Queensland Police Service has launched Operation Xray Secure to distrupt offenders targeting homes and businesses vulnerable during the severe weather.
Police will conduct additional proactive anti-looting patrols of affected areas across South-East Queensland, to disrupt and prevent crime, protect properties and enhance community safety.
More than 110 additional police from Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton have arrived to support the police and emergency services response to the ongoing severe weather, joining an extra 249 police officers already alongside local police resources.
65 extra State Emergency Service (SES) personnel have also deployed to South-East Queensland, with a further 100 expected from interstate tomorrow.
UPDATE 2PM: Premier David Crisafulli has just given an update on Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred warning that the system continues to pack a punch, with flash flooding the next big challenge. He has also given an update on the plan for schools tomorrow.
It follows reports of widespread damage across the City of Moreton Bay after a sting in Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s tail brought destructive winds and heavy rain last night.
Heavy and locally intense rainfall has continued today along with damaging winds.
Highest sustained wind speeds were recorded at 82 km/h overnight with wind gusts reaching 104 km/h at Redcliffe at 9.30pm.
These strong winds caused major damage throughout the City of Moreton Bay, with powerlines and trees coming down in multiple suburbs.
There are currently more than 60,000 properties across 65 suburbs affected by power outages. Fallen powerlines remain a serious threat until crews are able to clean them up and repair.
The Bureau of Meteorology says 144mm of rain was recorded at Mt Nebo in the six hours to 11.15am, 142mm was recorded at Mt Glorious in the six hours to 6.06am, and 118mm was recorded at Highvale in the six hours to 10.41 am.
A Flood Watch remains in place and includes the Pine and Caboolture Rivers.
The Bureau has issued a warning for "initial moderate flood warning for the Upper Brisbane River at Woodford".
It says the development of "heavy to intense rainfall is possible during Sunday morning and afternoon".
"This has the potential to cause dangerous and rapid river level rises along the Upper Brisbane and Stanley Rivers.
"The situation is being monitored closely and this flood warning will be updated as required."
The SES has received more than 1000 calls for help and Energex crews are on the ground, working to restore power.
QBuild crews have been at schools today, with principals, to determine if they are safe to reopen tomorrow.
By 5pm today, the schools closures Queensland website will have a status for every school. Those deemed unsafe, will not open tomorrow.
Parents who cannot safely get their children to school tomorrow, can keep them at home.
Schools unaffected by closures tomorrow and into the early part of this week will still hold NAPLAN testing on Wednesday. Those not open will conduct the testing on March 17.
Buses will operate in a limited capacity in all areas, including the City of Moreton Bay. Passengers are asked to check the Journey Planner website or app for details. School bus services, to schools that are open, will resume.
Trains will operate on a Sunday timetable, but alternative bus services will be provided on the Caboolture and Sunshine Coast lines.
A recovery hub has been established with a 24/7 telephone hotline for those needing assistance with mental health, financial and insurance matters and more. Phone 1800 173 349.
Supermarkets will continue to open on a “case-by-case basis”, as it is safe to do so.
A Bureau of Meteorology spokeswoman said a Severe Weather warning remains in place with heavy to locally intense rainfall to continue today, but gusty winds to decrease.
Six-hourly totals of 80-130mm are possible with 120-200mm 24-hourly totals also possible. In some areas, this may be as high as 200-250mm.
UPDATED 12.15PM: Moreton Bay City Council has issued a detailed update on the state of our region following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Council's statement says:
Residents should stay off roads unless travel is necessary and report damage and debris following the worst night of severe weather conditions so far, as Ex-TC Alfred made landfall yesterday over City of Moreton Bay.
The City has moved to advice warning level, but conditions still remain dangerous with damaging wind gusts, intense rainfall, and powerful waves expected to continue for much of Sunday.
Residents must monitor conditions as the warning level may increase quickly.
Highest sustained wind speeds were recorded at 82 km/hr overnight with wind gusts reaching 104 km/hr at Redcliffe at 9.30pm Saturday night.
Wind speeds are now around 40 km/hr sustained with the risk of damaging gusts.
These strong winds caused major damage throughout the city, with powerlines and trees coming down in multiple suburbs.
There are currently 62,396 properties across 65 suburbs affected by power outages. Fallen powerlines remain a serious threat until crews are able to clean them up and repair.
The Bureau of Meteorology says 144mm of rain was recorded at Mt Nebo in the six hours to 11.15am, 142mm was recorded at Mt Glorious in the six hours to 6.06am, and 118mm was recorded at Highvale in the six hours to 10.41 am. A Flood Watch remains in place and includes the Pine and Caboolture Rivers.
Report fallen powerlines to Energex on 13 19 62, stay at least 10m clear, and warn others. Treat any powerline as though it’s live and deadly.
Powerlines remain a serious threat as crews work to clean-up and repair damage. Strong winds will continue to disrupt some of these repairs, so we request patience.
The SES are currently responding to 209 tasks across Moreton Bay and will continue to support residents in need. Call 132 500 or use the SES Assistance QLD App to request storm and flood assistance.
Waste services and clean-up
To assist in Ex-TC Alfred clean up, council waste facilities will be open for extended periods, 7 days a week from 6am-6pm, starting from today Sunday, March 9.
A downed power line is preventing access to Samford Transfer Station on Gibbons Rd, Samford Valley at this time, Energex have been asked to address this as a priority.
Dayboro Transfer Station is also currently closed due to fallen trees and crews will work to reopen it as soon as possible. Monitor Council's Facebook page for updates.
Catch up services for waste collections cancelled on March 6-7, will be delivered from 6am today (Sunday), with general waste bins being prioritised. Please leave all missed bins by the kerbside until serviced.
Waste collection services resume as normal from Monday 10 March.
Sandbags
Keep sandbags in place for now as heavy to intense rainfall is still forecast for the rest of Sunday and could lead to flash flooding.
Once the rain and threat of flooding has passed, residents are advised to dispose of sand on their lawn or garden.
City of Moreton Bay sandbags are designed to be reused. Once dry, store them safely at home. If residents can’t store them, they can be disposed of in general waste (red top) bins after their contents have been emptied.
Council services
Damage assessments have been carried out for key pieces of infrastructure across the city and are now being reviewed.
City admin buildings and other non-essential services will be assessed and further updates will be made about when they are to reopen. Check City of Moreton Bay Facebook page for further updates.
Refuge Centres remain open today until further notice. Again, please check Facebook or the Disaster Dashboard for further updates.
What to do
Watch out for fallen trees and branches on roads and paths. Report to Council on 07 3205 0555
Report fallen powerlines to Energex on 13 19 62
In an emergency, call 000 (Triple Zero)
For storm and flood help, call SES QLD: 132 500 or use the SES Assistance QLD App.
Stay informed. Check the Bureau of Meteorology's Queensland warnings at http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/ or download the BOM Weather app to your device.
And always remember - if it’s flooded, forget it!
Emergency contacts
Life-threatening emergency? Call 000 (Triple Zero).
For storm and flood help, call SES QLD: 132 500 or use the SES Assistance QLD App.
Monitor the cyclone online if you can: www.bom.gov.au/
And stay informed with our Disaster Dashboard: https://disaster.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/
UPDATED 11.35AM: The number of homes without power in the Moreton Bay region has risen slightly in the last two hours to around 63,400 following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Suburbs from Bongaree down to Clontarf and Deception Bay across to Dayboro and Samford have been without power for hours.
Energex crews and the emergency services are working to restore power.
The full list is on Moreton Bay City Council's Disaster Dashboard with estimated times when power may be restored.
See the latest at Council's Disaster Dashboard
Seqwater CEO Emma Thomas says crews have worked overnight to start water releases from North Pine Dan, monitor catchments and ensure safe drinking water.
North Pine Dam's gates are open, releases ongoing, Youngs Crossing Rd closed. No current releases from Wivenhoe and Somerset Dams.
The water Seqwater is supplying continues to meet Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
Reminder - Moreton Bay City Council is asking people to stay off roads and report damage and debris as ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues to bring intense rainfall and damaging wind gusts .
Emergency Services, SES, Energex and Council staff are out removing debris from last night’s storm.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has issued a strong wind warning for the K'gari Coast, Sunshine Coast waters, Moreton Bay and Gold Coast waters.
UPDATED 9.40AM: BoM has issued a warning for "initial moderate flood warning for the Upper Brisbane River at Woodford".
It says the development of "heavy to intense rainfall is possible during Sunday morning and afternoon".
"This has the potential to cause dangerous and rapid river level rises along the Upper Brisbane and Stanley Rivers.
"The situation is being monitored closely and this flood warning will be updated as required."
The Stanley River at Woodford is currently at 1.86 metres and steady, below the minor flood level (5.00 metres).
However, it may exceed the minor flood level (5m) from late Sunday morning. After the onset of flooding, further rapid rises and moderate flooding are possible from Sunday afternoon."
Remember: If it's flooded, forget it. For flood emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500. For life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Current emergency information is available at www.qld.gov.au/alerts
More on that tree damage ... and we have been told last night's 104km/h wind gusts have stripped foliage from Norfolk Pines along Flinders Pde.
Pictures are at the bottom of this update.
One resident has reported 67mm of rain was recorded overnight "leading to widespread water pooling across the region, leaving many residents with water indentation".
UPDATE 8.45AM: Around 63,000 are still without power after Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred hit Moreton Bay region with high winds and rain last night.
Barely a corner of the region has been spared with crews now working to restore electricity in suburbs from Bongaree down to Ferny Hills.
Suburbs down the region's eastern side and across the middle appear to be hardest hit as crews start working to restore power.
The full list is on Moreton Bay City Council's Disaster Dashboard with estimated times when power may be restored.
See the latest at Council's Disaster Dashboard
Kippa-Ring and Peninsula Fair Shopping Centres have posted on Facebook that they will remain closed today.
Peninsula Fair says it is "due to storm damage last night", while Kippa-Ring is due to power outages following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Terry White Chemmart Kippa-Ring has posted on Facebook it will be closed today "due to damage to Peninsula Fair shopping centre".
"The safety of our team members, customers and community is our priority," the post says. "Our pharmacy at Bluewater Square shopping centre will be open today from 9.30am-2.30pm."
We have received this picture from a reader of the centre's roof.
Police have charged a man after he allegedly attempted to steal a generator powering traffic lights at the intersection of Bribie Island Rd and Toorbul Point Rd at Caboolture.
It will be alleged he was disturbed and left in a white utility, but officers saw a chain securing the generator had been cut and as a result power had been lost to the nearby traffic lights.
Officers went to a Ningi address a short time later and located a man and a white utility vehicle that contained a pair of bolt cutters.
The 39-year-old man Ningi man has been given a notice to appear for one count each of attempted stealing, wilful damage.
He is due to appear in Caboolture Magistrates Court on April 4.
Acting Chief Superintendent Adam Guild said: “The Queensland Police Service has zero tolerance for stealing, especially during a disaster.
“As we move into the recovery phase, police will continue to target offenders and hold them responsible for their actions.”
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
There are reports of damage to trees in Redcliffe including a fig tree on the corner of Prince Edward Pde and Stevens St and to Norfolk Pines on and near to Captain Cook car park.
Seqwater started dam releases at North Pine dam early this morning. There are currently no releases at Somerset and Wivenhoe dams.
However, ungated dams, including Sideling Creek (Lake Kurwongbah) are spilling. For dams details go to seqwater.com.au/dam-levels
The City of Moreton Bay has advised people to for people to stay off roads, report damage and debris as ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues to bring intense rainfall and damaging wind gusts.
Emergency Services, SES, ENERGEX and Council staff are doing essential tasks to remove and clear debris from last night’s storm.
Council urges residents to monitor conditions. In life threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Check the Bureau of Meteorology's Queensland warnings summary at http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/ or download the BOM Weather app to your device.
UPDATE 7AM: Moreton Bay City Council is urging residents to stay off the roads as Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues to bring intense rainfall and damaging wind gusts to the city.
“Emergency Services, SES, Energex, and Council staff will be performing essential tasks to remove and clear debris from last night’s storm. Please remain off the roads, identify and report major damages or obstructions and stay clear,” the alert said.
There are reports of widespread damage across the City of Moreton Bay after a sting in Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s tail brough destructive winds and heavy rain last night.
Heavy and locally intense rainfall is forecast to continue today along with damaging winds.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) confirmed Redcliffe was hit by a 104km/h wind gust at 9.24pm and sustained 82km/h winds at 9.30pm.
An increasing number of roads are closing due to damage, flooding and fallen trees. See the list here
What to do:
- Watch out for fallen trees and branches on roads and paths. Report to Council on 07 3205 0555
- Report fallen powerlines to Energex on 13 19 62
- In an emergency, call 000 (Triple Zero)
- For storm and flood help, call SES QLD: 132 500 or use the SES Assistance QLD App.
- Stay informed. Check the Bureau of Meteorology's Queensland warnings at http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/ or download the BOM Weather app to your device.
- Remember - if it’s flooded, forget it!
For the latest updates and safety advice, visit our Disaster Dashboard https://disaster.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/
UPDATE 6.15AM: There are reports of widespread damage across the City of Moreton Bay after a sting in Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s tail brought destructive winds and heavy rain last night.
Heavy and locally intense rainfall is forecast to continue today along with damaging winds.
Six-hourly rainfall totals of 80-130mm are likely throughout today. 24-hourly totals of 120-200mm are likely. Heavy rainfall is forecast to ease over southeast Queensland during Monday morning.
Damaging wind gusts with peak gusts of around 90 km/h are possible this morning over the eastern Darling Downs and Granite Belt and the southeast coastal fringe. Damaging wind gusts are forecast to ease later this morning.
A Coastal Hazard Warning and Hazardous Surf Warning is current.
A Flood Watch and Flood Warnings are current for southern and southeastern Queensland and include the Pine and Caboolture Rivers.
SEQ Water started releasing water from North Pine Dam about 3am.
Just before 9pm last night, Moreton Bay City Council issued a Watch and Act (stay indoors) warning for severe weather via its social media channels.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) confirmed Redcliffe was hit by a 104km/h wind gust at 9.24pm and sustained 82km/h winds at 9.30pm.
Sustained 65-80km/h winds were recorded at Redcliffe at times between 9.30pm Saturday and 3.30am this morning.
By 12.40pm, more than 57,000 properties in the City of Moreton Bay were without power.
Few suburbs escaped the wild weather. The hardest hit were Arana Hills, Bellmere, Burpengary, Clontarf, Deception Bay, Griffin, Kallangur, Kippa-Ring, Mango Hill, Morayfield, Narangba and Petrie.
See the latest at council’s disaster dashboard.
Posts on Facebook suggest widespread damage including to roofs and buildings. There are many trees down and residents should take care as they wake up this morning.