Severe weather batters region

ROLLING COVERAGE: UPDATE (4pm) 

Moreton Bay Regional council has closed its emergency evacuation centres at Caboolture, Bribie Island and Woodford. The centres were opened at 10pm yesterday due to the threat of flash flooding. Mayor Peter Flannery is urging residents to use a break in the weather to prepare for more possible rain tonight and another high tide at 9pm. 

Thirteen sandbag stations across the region remain open. To find a station near you, head here Queensland Parks and Wildlife has closed the Northern Access Track to Bribie Island Recreation Area until further notice. The closure took effect from Saturday, December 12. Access to Poverty Creek and Gallagher Point camping areas remain open. 

There are reports big swell has broken through the northern most tip of Bribie Island, off Caloundra. 

As at 4pm, there were four roads closed across the region including Leitchs Rd Pedestrian Bridge (South Pine River), Brendale; Old Gympie Rd at Six Mile Creek, Elimbah; Mott St, Strathpine; and Best Rd at Keillors Crossing, Rocksberg. To monitor road closures, head here 

Redcliffe, Bongaree and Woody Point Jetties remain closed as does Settlement Cove Lagoon.

ROLLING COVERAGE: UPDATE (11am) 

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery says the region is faring reasonably well and he hopes it continues to avoid the worst of the severe weather in the coming hours and days. 

The heaviest falls are being felt further south, particularly in Redlands, Brisbane (south) and Gold Coast areas. He says SES crews have received minimal calls for help, mostly for leaking roofs. 

Redcliffe, Bongaree and Woody Point Jetties remain closed, as does Settlement Cove lagoon. Big waves have smashed into the foreshore area littering the pool and surrounds in debris. Mayor Flannery says this morning’s high tide at 9am reached 2.6m and tonight’s high tide is expected at 9pm. It is forecast to be 1.94m.

ROLLING COVERAGE: (9:00am)

The effects of the king high tide at 9am are starting to be felt with seven roads across the Moreton Bay Region closed and localised flooding in bayside areas, including Scarborough.

Reports have been received that big swell has broken through the northern most tip of Bribie Island, off Caloundra. 

It follows high rainfall figures in the past 24 hours.

Mount Mee and Mount Glorious recorded the highest falls for the region since 9am yesterday, with Bureau of Meteorology data showing 128mm for each.

Morayfield had 71mm, Caboolture and Narangba 70mm, Terrors Creek at Dayboro 60mm, Deception Bay 63mm and Youngs Crossing 57mm.

At Banksia Beach, 62mm was recorded, at Rothwell 56mm, Samford Village 59mm, Albany Creek 61mm and Eatons Hill 58mm.

Big waves continue to pound coastal areas and 13 sandbag stations are open across the region. Find the list here

ROLLING COVERAGE: (8:00am)

Energex has reported that 688 customers are without power across the Moreton Bay Region in areas including; Wamuran, Rocksberg, Mount Mee, Lacey's Creek, Dayboro and Brendale. 

Outages are due to fallen trees and vegetation over powerlines. 

ROLLING COVERAGE: (6.30am) Moreton Bay Regional Council has opened evacuation centres, closed jetties and is urging residents to monitor the growing list of closed roads as a severe weather system batters South East Queensland. 

Here’s what you need to know

The Moreton Bay Region has been battered by heavy rain, strong winds and big surf during the past 24 hours, with more to come today.

At 10pm, Council opened emergency evacuation centres at Bribie Island Recreational Hall, Caboolture Memorial Hall and Woodford Community Hall.

It came after it closed jetties at Bongaree, Redcliffe Jetty and Woody Point Jetty from noon yesterday.

Thirteen sandbag stations are open across the region for residents wanting to protect their homes from flash flooding. Find the nearest location here

Roads closed

There are currently six roads closed across the region, but residents are urged to monitor the list on Council’s website, as the situation is likely to change quickly today.

As at 4pm, there were four roads closed across the region including Leitchs Rd Pedestrian Bridge (South Pine River), Brendale; Old Gympie Rd at Six Mile Creek, Elimbah; Mott St, Strathpine; and Best Rd at Keillors Crossing, Rocksberg. To monitor road closures, head here

The regularly-updated list can be found here

What to expect today

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Flood Watch for South East Queensland from Fraser Island to the Queensland - New South Wales border. Parts of the region can expect 100mm of rain today.

It has also issued a Severe Weather Warning for heavy rain, damaging winds, abnormally high tides and dangerous surf for a large area of the South East Queensland coast, including the Moreton Bay Region.

There is a Gale Warning for Sunshine Coast waters and Gold Coast waters, and a Strong Wind Warning for Moreton Bay.

SES answers calls for help

SES acting controller Alan Peterson said teams were already in the field and had responded to about 10 calls for assistance so far.

These have been for leaking roofs, sandbagging and fallen trees in areas including Woodford, Caboolture, Petrie, Bribie Island, Deception Bay and Redcliffe.

Many are still assisting residents at Bribie Island, who are still mopping up after last Monday’s storm.

Crews are preparing for possible localised flooding, when king tides hit about 9am. Mr Peterson said residents in low-lying areas such as Bribie Island, Beachmere and Deception Bay should be on alert.

If you need assistance, phone 132 500.

More to come …