Tropical Cyclone Alfred: Bribie evacuations today

Image: File photo

Moreton Bay City Council will prioritise evacuations from key areas of Bribie Island today as part of its rapid response plan to Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Moreton Bay City Council Mayor Peter Flannery and Queensland Police Service A/Chief Superintendent Moreton District North Coast Region Adam Guild gave a press conference this morning.

“It looks like the cyclone did a bit of a 360 last night out on the ocean there, so it has delayed the time it could impact on the City of Moreton Bay and South East Queensland,” Mayor Flannery said.

He said the delay has given council the opportunity to reopen sandbagging sites.

“Please be patient at our sandbag sites and respect each other … only take what you need. We’re seeing some sandbags have been taken and sold on social media to vulnerable people,” he said.

Instances of this have been passed onto the police.

Mayor Flannery said the Moreton Bay Disaster Management Centre conducted an urgent call-out campaign overnight to residential properties on Bribie that have been identified as vulnerable in a worst-case storm tide scenario.

More than 170 properties in Bellara, Bongaree and Banksia Beach areas have been identified as most vulnerable to a possible major storm surge from cyclone conditions and high tides. More on flood maps in this story.

The team called 104 residents to assess their needs for assisted evacuation, with the remainder being contacted this morning to assess their need for an assisted evacuation to a place of refuge.

“Under the urgent operation, Council, SES and QPS will initially evacuate these designated people who have made themselves known to Council’s place of refuge at Caboolture,” Mayor Flannery said.

“These people will then be encouraged to take shelter with family or friends. If that is not possible, they will be housed at the evacuation centre until TC Alfred has passed.

“The current forecast has the TC Alfred wind speed loop situated over Bribie Island which saw the need to urgently implement the Bribie evacuation plan. Tropical Cyclone Alfred is now predicted to make landfall early Friday night.

“Earlier in the week, with the support of Queensland Police and SES, 1900 properties across City of Moreton Bay in low lying areas were doorknocked. Extra police and emergency services have been deployed to key areas across the City.

“City of Moreton Bay recognises that others across the City are also at risk of higher than forecast storm tide in a range of low-lying areas but right now we need to address the specific vulnerabilities on Bribie Island, that is at very real danger of being isolated.”

Make a plan now

Mayor Flannery said people on the mainland in low lying areas that will be impacted by storm surge, should consider if they need to act now move where it is safer or if they can shelter in place.

Acting Chief Superintendent Guild, who is also the Moreton District Disaster Group Co-ordinator, said he had signed a Disaster Declaration ahead of the cyclone.

He said the group had identified vulnerable communities and used police, SES and other volunteers to target up to 1900 properties in low-lying coastal areas, speaking to residents about the possible impacts of TC Alfred on them.

More than 170 additional Queensland Police officers on the ground in the City of Moreton Bay as well as additional resources from a range of government and non-government agencies.

“We’ve also pre-positioned additional resources into places like Bribie Island, specifically, and the community of Beachmere to ensure community safety but above all to ensure we prioritise no loss of human life to occur during this event,” Acting Chief Superintendent Guild said.

He asked people to finalise their plans and stay off the roads for the next 48 hours to allow emergency services to respond to events as they unfold.

“If you don’t need to be on the road, please stay off the road, heed the warnings, refer to the City of Moreton Bay’s (disaster) dashboard. It has all the latest information,” Acting Chief Superintendent Guild said.

Mayor Peter Flannery said people could lodge a request to be assisted in evacuation through Council or SES, or Triple zero (000) if it is an emergency and their life is immediate danger, but we encourage people to use own transport, stay with family or friends and move now before it is too late.

“We can only deliver support if we can link resident need with the resources that we have available, and they are limited,” he said.

“This is an evolving situation but very soon, with the current forecast, it will be unsafe to move. Our first priority is the safety of our community and staff. The forecasts will continue to evolve today.

“I understand many residents might be feeling a bit anxious, but rest assured our teams are watching the situation closely and are already operating around the clock with other key agencies to manage this situation if it escalates.

“TC Alfred will bring heavy rains, damaging and destructive winds, severe erosion and flooding. Residents are being urged to take the warnings seriously and prepare for a cyclone or flood event.

“Wind gusts of up to 130km/hr are predicted so it is important to prioritise safety, stay indoors and keep your emergency kit close.

“Places of refuge are for emergency stay only and so people should immediately consider all options and be appropriately prepared. Council urges people to move now if needed before it is too dangerous to travel on roads. Places of refuge are expected to be under heavy strain and will be uncomfortable, we ask residents to be patient and help each other in these difficult times.

“A cyclone brings gale force winds making it dangerous for people to move around the City. The time may come when Council, SES or Emergency Services cannot assist residents as it is unsafe.”

More information

Stay alert with the Moreton Bay City Council’s Disaster Dashboard: https://disaster.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/.

Warning messages from Council will be issued through Moreton Alert and Emergency Alert Messaging as required.

If people need urgent support, they can phone Council’s centre on 07 3205 0555

Phone Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage.

If your life is in immediate danger call Triple 000.

People should save the national emergency alert number +61 444 444 444