Tropical Cyclone Alfred makes beeline for Moreton Bay

UPDATED 12.40AM: More than 57,000 properties in Moreton Bay are without power after high winds and rain lashed the region tonight.

Few suburbs have escaped the wild weather and at the time of writing outages were continuing to rise.

Hardest hit are Arana Hills, Bellmere, Burpengary, Clontarf, Deception Bay, Griffin, Kallangur, Kippa-Ring, Mango Hill, Morayfield, Narangba and Petrie.

The list on Moreton Bay City Council's Disaster Dashboard includes estimated time when power may be restored.

See the latest at council’s disaster dashboard.

Wind gusts of more than 100km/h are also being reported with posts on Facebook suggesting a building in Redcliffe has lost all or part of its roof.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has confirmed Redcliffe was hit by a 104km/h wind gust at 9.24pm tonight and sustained 82km/h winds at 9.30pm this evening.

Moreton Bay City Council has issued a Watch and Act alert and is urging residents to stay indoor as severe weather hits the region.

Dangerous winds are impacting parts of City of Moreton Bay now, especially around Redcliffe Peninsula. Damaging winds have created multiple hazards in areas around homes and roads.

If your life is in danger, phone Triple Zero (000) immediately. For storm help, call the SES on 132 500.

UPDATED 10.25PM: Reports are coming in of wind gusts up to 100km/h in Redcliffe as the cyclone moves onto the mainland bringing more severe weather to the Moreton Bay region.

In addition to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) readings, There are also reports from residents of wind gusts up to 104km/h and wind speeds of 82km/h on Facebook.

We are seeing reports of structural damage across Moreton Bay, with some posts and videos suggesting some roofs in Redcliffe and Margate are being impacted by the high winds.

Almost 15,000 homes are now reported to be without power across 35 suburbs - of those more than 1800 are at Deception Bay, around 1700 at Kallangur and 1400 in Petrie.

Ten State Government roads are currently closed in Moreton Bay and nine Council run roads due to the wild weather.

BoM has tonight issued a warning for "very heavy surf" which may lead to localised damage and severe coastal erosion between Cape Moreton and Coolangatta.

Moreton Bay City Council has issued a Watch and Act alert and is urging residents to stay indoor as severe weather lashes the region.

Dangerous winds are impacting parts of City of Moreton Bay now, especially around Redcliffe Peninsula. People should move or stay indoors now to be safe.

Conditions could be very dangerous. Damaging winds have created multiple hazards in areas around homes and roads.

If your life is in danger, phone Triple Zero (000) immediately. For storm help, call the SES on 132 500.

More than 30 suburbs in the City of Moreton Bay are now without power.

See the latest at council’s disaster dashboard.

UPDATE 9PM: Moreton Bay City Council has issued a Watch and Act alert and is urging residents to stay indoor as severe weather lashes the region.

Dangerous winds are impacting parts of City of Moreton Bay now, especially around Redcliffe Peninsula. People should move or stay indoors now to be safe.

Conditions could be very dangerous. Damaging winds have created multiple hazards in areas around homes and roads.

If your life is in danger, phone Triple Zero (000) immediately. For storm help, call the SES on 132 500.

More than 30 suburbs in the City of Moreton Bay are now without power. 

See the latest at council’s disaster dashboard.

UPDATE 8.30PM: Several roads are closed across the City of Moreton Bay and there are power outages in more than 20 suburbs as strong winds lash the area in the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Affected suburbs include those in the hinterland and along the coast. See the latest at council’s disaster dashboard.

A Severe Weather Warning for heavy and locally intense rainfall and damaging winds is in place for the southeast coast and includes the City of Moreton Bay.

There is also a Coastal Hazard Warning, Dangerous Surf Warning and Flood Watch.

See the list of road closures here

UPDATE 4.50PM: Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred remains off Bribie Island and is expected to track east, reaching Dalby by midnight.

Premier David Crisafulli has just provided an update on the weather system which continues to generate strong winds including a gust of 61km/h at Redcliffe this afternoon.

Mr Crisafulli said heavy to locally intense rainfall will be the next challenge in the coming days.

“We don’t know what the weather will bring. The system remains active,” he said.

A spokesman from the Bureau of Meteorology says a Severe Weather Warning remains in place, which includes the South East Coast and the City of Moreton Bay.

We can expect heavy and intense rainfall in some areas ranging from 300-700mm in some areas.

A Coastal Hazard warning remains in place and beach/foreshore erosion is still a risk.

The spokesman said winds would ease this evening, but large swell and waves would continue tomorrow but would ease next week. There is no longer a threat of storm surge.

He said the worst of the weather to come would be along the southern and eastern flanks of the Tropical Low during the next 24-48 hours.

There is the potential for life-threatening flash flooding and a Flood Watch remains in place, including the Pine and Caboolture Rivers.

Premier Crisafulli said 330,000 homes and businesses had lost power since the severe weather event began, which was the biggest single loss of power in Queensland’s history.

Energex and Ergon Energy crews are working to restore power, with 30,000 customers reconnected in the past 90 minutes alone.

There have been 1000 calls to the SES across South East Queensland, one-third for structural damage and one-third for downed trees.

Premier Crisafulli thanked 2000 health staff who remained at South East Queensland hospitals overnight to ensure services could continue. This included 400 Metro North staff.

He said his Government had been working with supermarkets – some have reopened today and others will reopen tomorrow. Service stations have also begun to reopen.

Translink’s Journey Planner tool will be updated from 6pm tonight to give people an idea of what public transport services will be available from tomorrow. Buses in Moreton Bay are expected to run to a Sunday timetable, with the exception of Bribie Island where staffing is an issue.

Rail services will not be available tomorrow, with assessments needed to determine track safety. Premier Crisafulli will provide an update on rail services tomorrow.

Airports will resume services from tomorrow and airlines will directly inform passengers on how this affects them.

When schools will reopen will depend on safety assessments, which have begun. Premier Crisafulli says he is hoping to have as many schools open as possible on Monday but will provide a detailed update tomorrow.

UPDATE 3.40PM: Moreton Bay City Council says usual kerbside wheelie bin collection will resume on Monday, March 10 where it is safe to do so. Extra measures are in place to catch up.

To assist with recovery efforts, Council is extending waste services:

• All waste facilities will be open seven days a week from 6am-6pm, starting tomorrow (Sunday, March 9). Please dispose of toxic or hazardous items at your local waste facility.
• Catch-up waste collections for missed services on Thursday 6 March and Friday 7 March will begin Sunday, March 9 from 6am where it is safe to do so. General waste bins will be prioritised so please leave your bins on the kerbside until collected.
• Regular kerbside collection resumes as normal from Monday, March 10 where it is safe to do so.

With heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding expected over the coming days council is recommending anyone with sandbags to hang on to them for now. It will let residents know when and how to dispose of them correctly.

UPDATE 8.50AM: Moreton Bay City Council Mayor Peter Flannery says while predicted severe weather has been downgraded, ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred will bring with it heavy rainfall, risks of damaging wind gusts and flash flooding.

“Public and staff safety is the focus, and people should still stay inside and not go out until it is safe. People should wait for the official 'all clear'. If it’s flooded, forget it,” he says.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred is just off Bribie Island and moving slowly west-northwest.

It is expected to make landfall between Maroochydore and Bribie Island this morning before weakening inland later today.

“There is still potential for impact on frequently flooded roads, Council is preparing to mobilise crews to start conducting damage assessment and beginning clean-up work to ensure public safety and begin to check all council facilities so they can be declared safe and ready to reopen," he says.

“There does remain a real risk of flooding, so this situation is not over, and I know we will be able to support people with the excellent planning already in place.

“Thank you to everyone for their patience during this evolving situation.”

Read more here

UPDATE 7.43AM: Premier David Crisafulli says the biggest risk from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred is heavy and intense rain in the coming days, which could lead to flash flooding.

The system, which crossed Moreton Island about 1am and is presently sitting off Bribie Island and has been downgraded to a Tropical Low, produced winds of up to 107km/h on the Gold Coast and 85km/h at Redcliffe.

Premier Crisafulli says coastal areas were spared storm tide inundation, with the system not combining with this morning’s high tide.

He says the next challenge will be forecast rainfall in the coming days.

Almost 250,000 people are without power in South East Queensland, including in 22 suburbs across the City of Moreton Bay.

Premier Crisafulli says damage assessments are happening now and crews are being mobilised to restore power as quickly as they can.

A Bureau of Meteorology spokesman says Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred is moving about 9km/h and will head inland from Bribie Island.

A Severe Weather Warning remains in place with the risk of heavy and intense rainfall, and damaging wind gusts are still possible.

Heavy and intense rainfall of anything from 300-800mm totals are possible in some areas. A Flood Watch remains in place and includes the Pine and Caboolture Rivers.

UPDATE 6.30AM: Moreton Bay City Council Mayor Peter Flannery says the city appears to have dodged the worst of the forecast damaging winds with Alfred now downgraded to a tropical low-pressure system.

Concern now shifts to rainfall, with the Bureau of Meteorology still forecasting daily totals of up to 300mm in some areas.

Speaking on Channel 7’s Sunrise program a short time ago, Mayor Flannery said: “I think we’re doing pretty well at the moment”.

He said if the system continues to move to the north, the City of Moreton Bay could miss the worst of the wind.

Rain is, however, moving north from the Gold Coast and a risk of river and creek flooding remains.

Mayor Flannery said about 130 people sheltered at refuge centres across the city last night and about 4500 properties are without power in Moreton Bay.

The Bureau of Meteorology says Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to cross the mainland near Bribie Island in the next hour or so.

UPDATE 6AM: The Bureau of Meteorology says Alfred is now a tropical low pressure system, still off Bribie Island and moving slowly north. It is expected to cross the mainland coast between Maroochydore and Bribie Island this morning.

The Tropical Low has sustained winds near the centre of 55km per hour with wind gusts up to 85km/h.

It is about 65km north northeast of Brisbane and 40km south southeast of Maroochydore, moving at 9km/h.

The Bureau says: “Gales are no longer occurring over coastal or island locations. It is expected to move towards and cross the mainland coast this morning, with winds weakening further as it moves inland.

“Despite its weakening, heavy rainfall is likely to continue over southeast Queensland.”

UPDATE 5.10AM: Tropical Cyclone Alfred is off Bribie Island and is moving slowly towards the mainland coast.

It is expected to weaken below tropical cyclone strength before crossing the mainland coast between Maroochydore and Bribie Island during the morning.

The Bureau of Meteorology says it is a Category 1 system with sustained winds near the centre of 65km/h with wind gusts up to 95km per hour.

It is estimated to be 65km north northeast of Brisbane and 45km south southeast of Maroochydore, moving at 10km/h.

Gales with damaging wind gusts to 120km/h close to centre and over offshore areas is expected to ease in the next hour or two as Alfred weakens further.

Alfred is expected to weaken below tropical cyclone strength before making landfall this morning.

Once across the coast, a weakened Alfred will continue to move inland during today. Despite its weakening, heavy rainfall is likely to continue over southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales during the weekend. 

Twenty suburbs within the City of Moreton Bay are without power at present, including Bellara, Bongaree, Ferny Hills and Samford Valley. For the latest, head to council's Disaster Dashboard.

Last night, about 10.30pm Moreton Bay City Council issued a statement urging residents to take shelter now and remain indoors until they have been told conditions have eased.

“During the cyclone, if winds stop suddenly, this means the eye of the cyclone is passing over. Do NOT leave your place of shelter. Wait for the official 'all clear' and stay inside,” the statement said.

“Tropical Cyclone Alfred may bring damaging wind gusts, potential storm surge, and heavy to locally intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding.

“Identify the strongest area of your home, with few or small windows. The bathroom or internal hallways are good options. Be prepared to use mattresses and blankets to protect yourself if you need to shelter from immediate danger."

UPDATE 4.15AM: The Bureau of Meteorology says Tropical Cyclone Alfred lies off Bribie Island and is moving slowly towards the mainland coast.

It is expected to cross the mainland coast between Maroochydore and Bribie Island in the next few hours.

Alfred is a Category 1 system with sustained winds near the centre of 65km per hour with wind gusts to 95km per hour.

The system is about 55km north northeast of Brisbane and 55km south southeast of Maroochydore, moving at 10km per hour.

As Alfred crosses the coast, it is expected to weaken below tropical cyclone strength.

Gales with damaging wind gusts to 120km/h may continue to occur near Bribie Island and northern Moreton Bay, including Redcliffe for the next few hours before Alfred moves across the mainland coast and weakens.

Heavy to locally intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding may occur over coastal and adjacent inland areas of southeast Queensland as Alfred weakens and moves inland during today.

Separate Severe Weather Warning, Flood Watches, and Flood Warnings are current for southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales.

Abnormally high tides are likely to continue causing minor flooding of coastal low lying areas between Maroochydore and Ballina, particularly during this morning's high tide.

UPDATE 3.30AM: Tropical Cyclone Alfred is moving across Moreton Bay and approaching the mainland, most likely Bribie Island, as a Category 1 system.

The Bureau of Meteorology says itt has sustained winds near the centre of 75km/h with wind gusts up to 100km/h and is 50km north northeast of Brisbane and 100km north of the Gold Coast.

Alfred is moving at 10km per hour. As soon as it crosses the mainland coast this morning, it will weaken below tropical cyclone strength as it moves inland today.

Gales with damaging wind gusts to 120km/h between Maroochydore and Southport, are expected persist for next several hours as Alfred makes landfall over mainland. Damaging wind gusts are expected to ease as Alfred moves inland and weakens.

Abnormally high tides are likely to continue causing minor flooding of coastal low lying areas between Maroochydore and Ballina, particularly during this morning's high tide.

Alfred passed over Moreton Island about 1am and is forecast to cross the mainland, near Sandstone Point or Bribie Island.

Sixteen suburbs within the City of Moreton Bay are without power at present, including Bellara, Bongaree, Ferny Hills and Samford Valley.

Last night, about 10.30pm Moreton Bay City Council issued a statement urging residents to take shelter now and remain indoors until they have been told conditions have eased.

“During the cyclone, if winds stop suddenly, this means the eye of the cyclone is passing over. Do NOT leave your place of shelter. Wait for the official 'all clear' and stay inside,” the statement said.

“Tropical Cyclone Alfred may bring damaging wind gusts, potential storm surge, and heavy to locally intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding.

“Identify the strongest area of your home, with few or small windows. The bathroom or internal hallways are good options. Be prepared to use mattresses and blankets to protect yourself if you need to shelter from immediate danger.

“Your household emergency kit could be your lifeline during and after the cyclone, with the food, water and other items you will need. Make sure to have it available quickly.

“The cyclone could take several hours to pass. The centre, or 'eye' of the cyclone, is a period when conditions may ease.

“If the wind drops, the cyclone is NOT over. Violent winds will soon resume from another direction. Wait for the official 'all clear' and stay inside.

“If you evacuated, stay there until you are told it is safe to return. Do not go outside or try to check for damage yet.”

In life threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately. Emergency services may not be able to get to you because it is too dangerous.

STAY INFORMED. 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.