Tropical Cyclone Alfred: Moreton Bay braces for impact

UPDATE 10.30PM: Moreton Bay City Council has just 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 will cross the coast tomorrow morning (Saturday, March 8). This is currently predicted at 8am.

“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.

UPDATE 10.27PM: The Bureau of Meteorology has just issued an update on Tropical Cyclone Alfred. It is still a Category 2 system and is most likely to cross over the Moreton Bay Islands Saturday morning before crossing the mainland coast, between Maroochydore and Brisbane later during the day.

The City of Moreton Bay remains in the firing line and at this stage the cyclone is expected to cross our coast about 10am.

Alfred is expected to weaken as it moves inland late Saturday and Sunday.

Heavy to locally intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is likely to develop this evening and increase into Saturday.

Gales with damaging wind gusts up to 120km/h are occurring near the coast between Cape Moreton and Yamba. Gales with damaging wind gusts up to 120km/h are expected to extend to adjacent inland areas between Beerburrum and Ballina during tonight.

The Gold Coast is being hammered by gale force, damaging winds up to 100km/h at present and about 100,000 homes are without power across South East Queensland.

UPDATE 8.30PM: Moreton Bay City Council has just issued an Emergency Warning for residents to take shelter now from Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred will cross the coast Saturday morning. It will bring damaging to destructive wind gusts, potential storm surge, and heavy to locally intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding.

“People in the City of Moreton Bay must TAKE SHELTER NOW and REMAIN INDOORS. Stay there until the conditions have eased,” the warning said.

“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.

Alfred is about 80km east of Brisbane and 70km northeast of the Gold Coast, moving at 6km/h.

UPDATE 7PM: The Bureau of Meteorology says Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to reach the Moreton Bay Islands in the early hours of Saturday morning and cross the mainland “later during the day”. Models show Moreton Bay firmly in the firing line.

Alfred remains a Category 2 system with sustained winds near the centre of 95km/h and gusts to 140km/h.

It is presently 95km east of Brisbane and 75km northeast of Gold Coast, moving at 6km/h.

The latest modelling has it approaching the City of Moreton Bay coastal areas from 7am, but timing remains uncertain and some forecasters are suggesting an earlier crossing.

Gales with damaging wind gusts up to 120km/h are expected to extend to adjacent inland areas between Beerburrum and Ballina during tonight.

These winds may extend to exposed coastal locations further north to Double Island Point overnight or during Saturday morning as Alfred approaches the coast.

The Bureau says destructive wind gusts of up to 155km/h are expected to develop about the Moreton Bay Islands and exposed coastal location on the northern Gold Coast from tonight, as Alfred's destructive core approaches the coast.

The destructive winds may persist until Alfred crosses the coast early Saturday morning.

Although Alfred is expected to weaken and move inland during Saturday, damaging wind gusts may continue, particularly over elevated terrain, during Saturday.

UPDATE 5.25PM: As Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues to make its way towards the coast, Moreton Police District is urging the community to prepare, know their plan and stay indoors.

Alfred is expected to remain a Category 2 cyclone and is expected to cross tomorrow, Saturday, most likely between Noosa and Beenleigh.

Police are strongly advising the community to stay in their chosen safe locations until the dangerous winds and hazardous rainfall passes.

Police officers and recruits are today conducting final doorknocking activities in at-risk flood areas, and ensuring residents are fully informed about their options.

Now is the time to finalise your plans and get ready to put them into action. Know when to evacuate, because there will come a time where those in flood-prone areas may not be able to leave.

If it is safe to stay home, please stay home. If you are given advice to consider leaving, you should take that advice.

If you feel unsafe and do not want to go to a refuge or evacuation centre, please make arrangements to stay with family or friends. Refuge centres are currently open at Caboolture Memorial Hall, Strathpine Community Centre and Hope Church Rothwell if you cannot stay with friends or family.

Additional officers have been pre-deployed across the Moreton District, specifically to Beachmere and Bribie Island, to assist in preparations and any emergency response.

Moreton District Disaster Coordinator Acting Chief Superintendent Adam Guild said the community should follow the advice of local authorities and emergency services.

“Our priority is protecting human life and ensuring community safety, so please follow all safety warnings and receive up-to-date information from reputable sources, including familiarising yourself with the City of Moreton Disaster Dashboard,” Acting Chief Superintendent Guild said.

“We are urging residents to stay indoors and stay off the roads until the cyclone passes and it is safe to leave home.

“We are expecting local flooding and what we do not want to see is people risking their life and the lives of others by driving through flood waters. No matter how familiar a road may seem, if it’s flooded forget it.”

Your main resource for information should be your local council disaster dashboard. It is designed to be your hub for critical information about local road closures, alerts and warnings, places of refuge and evacuation centres:

City of Moreton Council disaster dashboard: Dashboard

Important things to remember during a natural disaster:

• Follow the instructions of local authorities and emergency services.
• Tune into warnings, remembering that phone and internet services may go down so know your local radio station.
• Locate your severe weather plan and emergency kit and evacuation kit if evacuation is a possibility.
• If you can, ensure your vehicle is in a sheltered and/or elevated location in case you need to evacuate.
• Check in with family, friends and neighbours.
• Make sure your pets are safely secured inside.

Alerts and warnings resources

• Bureau of Meteorology website for weather updates, weather warning and tsunami warning information.
• Queensland Disaster Management Services website for information on preparing, Emergency Alerts issued and current information on disaster events.
• Your local council website for local emergency management plans and evacuation information, routes and your local council emergency dashboard:
• Get Ready Queensland also provides advice for Tropical Cyclone Alfred and general information on preparing and recovering from disasters, including in language resources.

For assistance with a life-threatening situation phone Triple Zero (000) immediately.

For non life-threatening flood and storm emergency assistance, download the Queensland SES assistance app or call SES on 132 500.

UPDATE 5PM: Tropical Cyclone Alfred is now 105km east southeast of Brisbane and 75km east northeast of the Gold Coast, moving at 7km/h.

It remains a Category 2 system with sustained winds near the centre of 95km/h and wind gusts to 140km/h.

The Bureau of Meteorology says Alfred will continue to move slowly towards the South East Queensland coast.

Alfred is most likely to cross over the Moreton Bay Islands Saturday morning before crossing the mainland coast, most likely between Noosa and Beenleigh later during Saturday.

UPDATE 3.15PM: Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s movements continue to be erratic, bobbing north and south, but it is still heading towards the South East Queensland coast.

The Bureau of Meteorology and Premier David Crisafulli have just provided an update.

It remains a Category 2 system and is about 125km east southeast of Brisbane, moving about 8km/h.

Alfred is expected to cross the Bay Islands in the early hours of Saturday morning as a Category 2 system and will weaken to a Category 1 system as it makes its way across the bay towards the mainland, with winds up to 120km/h.

The Bureau expects it to cross the coast during the day on Saturday north of Brisbane.

Heavy and intense rainfall is expected in the coming days, with combined totals up to 800mm in some areas.

A Flood Watch has been issued and includes the Caboolture and Pine Rivers.

UPDATE 2PM: The Bureau of Meteorology has just issued an update on Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

It remains a Category 2 system with sustained winds near the centre of 100km/h and wind gusts to 140km/h.

The cyclone It is presently 125km east southeast of Brisbane and 90km east northeast of Gold Coast, moving at 8km/h.

Alfred will continue moving slowly towards the South East Queensland coast.

Alfred is most likely to cross over the Moreton Bay Islands Saturday morning before crossing the mainland coast, most likely between Noosa and Beenleigh later during Saturday.

Premier David Crisafulli will provide an update at 3pm today.

UPDATE NOON: Moreton Bay City Council is urging residents to finalise their preparations for impact and think about where they will shelter before it becomes too dangerous to use roads today.

It comes as the city braces for Tropical Cyclone Alfred to make landfall on Saturday.

“Take shelter with family and friends first if you are vulnerable or in low lying coastal areas. Residents are strongly encouraged to stay off the roads,” Mayor Peter Flannery said.

“Following many days warning, a shift of intensity will see Tropical Cyclone Alfred bring flooding rains and destructive winds as it approaches the coastline.

“The weather will change quickly, and forecasts may change as the Tropical Cyclone remains unpredictable.”

People will need to be self-sufficient during the height of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. It will become too dangerous for Council, SES and Queensland Police Service to provide support.

If your life is in immediate danger call 000 (Triple Zero), call Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 for non-life-threatening flood and storm emergency assistance. Residents will be assisted as soon as it is safe to do so, so we ask for patience and resilience.

Sandbag stations are now closed for community safety.

UPDATE 11.20AM: Tropical Cyclone Alfred is forecast to hit the Bay Islands in the early hours of Saturday morning before heading north of Brisbane by about noon.

Premier David Crisafulli has just provided an update from Kedron Emergency Services Complex.

A Bureau of Meteorology spokesman said the erratic weather system is presently a Category 2 system about 160km/h east of Brisbane and moving at 7km/h. It is expected to drop to a Category 1 as it moves across the Bay Islands, with winds of up to 120km/h.

The exact track Alfred will take remains uncertain, so a warning is in place from Double Island Point to the NSW border.

Damaging winds are already being felt and will increase throughout today and as the cyclone approaches. They could reach 150km/h.

Heavy and intense rainfall is a concern with daily totals of 300-500mm predicted, with 800mm totals possible during the next 48 hours.

This will lead to flooding, with a Flood Watch current which includes the Caboolture and Pine Rivers.

“We’re expecting significant rainfall in the next 24-48 hours and maybe beyond,” Premier Crisafulli said.

Alfred is a broad and slow-moving system which will produce significant rainfall over an extended period of time.

He said there had already been reports of trees falling on houses and cars and he expected this to continue.

Massive 10m waves have been recorded off the coast, and there has already been significant erosion on the Gold Coast.

Premier Crisafulli said 1200 Energex staff had been pre-positioned to restore power, when it is safe to do so, with 800 of their Ergon colleagues on standby.

Water treatment plants have been assessed and fortified and are in the “best position possible” to withstand the cyclone.

The State Government continues to work with telecommunications companies to do what it can to restore services quickly, if they are knocked out.

Schools remain closed today and public transport services have been suspended today and tomorrow.

An update on school closures will be provided on Sunday to give families time to make arrangements ahead of the beginning of the week.

UPDATE 9.36AM: Moreton Bay City Council has just issued a Watch and Act warning for residents, with Tropical Cyclone Alfred continuing to move west this morning towards the South East Queensland coast.

“Conditions will get worse as it gets closer to land including damaging to destructive wind gusts and heavy to locally intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding. Be prepared to shelter in place,” the warning said.

It offered the following advice …

Impacts

• Very strong winds will knock down trees, powerlines, blow roofs off some houses, and blow away anything not tied down outside. This is a risk to life.

• Heavy rain and storm surge may cause flooding in some places.

• Power, phones, internet and water might stop working. They could be out for a long time.

• Some places near the coast could get a dangerous storm surge and flood near the beach.

• Roads could be blocked by fallen trees, powerlines or flood water.

What you should do

• Consider your risk of isolation and/or flooding.

• Think about where you would evacuate to, this could be with family or friends in a safer location.

• IF IT'S FLOODED FORGET IT! Your car can't protect you from floodwater.

• For further information go to Get Ready Queensland website

To shelter at home

• Sheltering at home is often the best option. Find the strongest and safest room in the building you are in. This will be away from big windows. It could be a bathroom, walk-in wardrobe or hallway.

• Cover any windows in your safe room with a mattress or heavy blanket. This will protect you from broken glass if the window breaks or to shelter under if the roof comes off.

• Put your emergency kit in your safe room.

• Finishing charging devices. Limit their use to save batteries.

• Limit how much water you drink to make supplies last longer.

• If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust.

• If you have pets make sure you have enough food for them. Make sure they can be identified if they get lost.

• Do not drive (unless you are evacuating).

If your home is not a safe place

• If your home is not a safe place go to friends or family in a safer location immediately.

• If you live near the beach or a coastal water way, go to friends or family in a safer location away from the water.

• If your home is not a safe place, check Council Disaster Dashboard for location and status of evacuation centres.

• If you can take your pet with you, bring their food, lead, crate or carrier.

More Information

• Life threatening emergencies: phone Triple Zero (000).

• Weather warnings, go to Bureau of Meteorology website.

• For local information, warnings, emergency news and sandbag station status and location, go to Council's Disaster Dashboard.

• Listen to your local radio station: ABC Brisbane 612AM, 99.7FM, 101.5FM.

• For emergency help in floods and storms, phone the State Emergency Service on 132 500.

• Power outage information, go to your provider’s website – Energex.

• Traffic information and closed roads, go to the QLD Traffic website or phone 13 19 40.

• Public transport information, go to the Translink website.

• Find out how to get ready for a storm at https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Disaster-Management.

UPDATE 9AM: The Bureau of Meteorology has issued an update on Tropical Cyclone Alfred, saying it is most likely to cross over the Moreton Bay Islands early Saturday morning before crossing the mainland coast, most likely between Noosa and Beenleigh later during Saturday.

It remains a Category 2 system with sustained winds near the centre of 100km/h with wind gusts to 140km/h.

Alfred is about 165km east of Brisbane and 140km east northeast of the Gold Coast, moving at 7km/h.

The Bureau says: "Once Alfred crosses the coast, it is likely to weaken below tropical cyclone strength during Saturday. However, heavy to locally intense rainfall is expected to continue near and south of the system centre during the weekend".

"Destructive wind gusts of up to 155km/h may develop about the Moreton Bay Islands and exposed coastal location on the northern Gold Coast from tonight, as Alfred's destructive core approaches the coast. The destructive winds may persist until Alfred crosses the coast early Saturday morning.

"Although Alfred is expected to weaken and move inland during Saturday, damaging wind gusts may continue, particularly over elevated terrain during Saturday, before easing throughout during Sunday."

The next update is due at 10am.

UPDATE 8AM: Tropical Cyclone Alfred is now expected to cross the coast early Saturday morning close to Moreton Bay, between Noosa and Coolangatta.

It remains a Category 2 system with sustained winds near the centre of 100km/h and wind gusts to 140km/h.

Alfred is presently about 165km east of Brisbane and 140km east northeast of Gold Coast, moving at 6km/h.

The Bureau of Meteorology has just issued an update. The next one is due at 9am.

UPDATE: 7.27AM: Premier David Crisafulli has released a video message via Facebook saying people can expect wind and rain to increase today as Tropical Cyclone  Alfred heads towards the coast.

Gusts of up to 100km/h have been recorded at Coolangatta overnight, and about 25,000 people are already without power – the majority in Redland, Gold Coast, Logan and Scenic Rim council areas. Rainfall of up to 119mm has been recorded at the Gold Coast.

UPDATE 5AM: Tropical Cyclone Alfred is forecast to cross the South East Queensland coast, most likely close to Moreton Bay, between Noosa and Coolangatta tonight or early tomorrow morning.

The Bureau of Meteorology has just issued its latest update and says TC Alfred is presently a slow-moving Category 2 system with sustained winds near the centre of 95km/h with wind gusts to 130km/h.

It is about 195km east of Brisbane and 180km east northeast of the Gold Coast and is expected to remain of similar intensity until it crosses the coast.

Heavy to locally intense rainfall, which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is expected as Alfred crosses the coast late Friday evening or early Saturday.

Once Alfred crosses the coast, it is likely to weaken below tropical cyclone strength during Saturday. Despite the weakening, the risk of significant impacts due to widespread heavy rainfall is expected to continue near the coast and extend over adjacent inland areas during the weekend.

Abnormally high tides are likely to continue causing minor flooding of coastal low lying areas between Double Island Point and Grafton, particularly during the Friday night (early Saturday) high tide.

The risk of a dangerous storm tide for the exposed beaches between Cape Moreton and Yamba, including the Gold Coast and Byron Bay beaches, is easing this morning after the early high tide.

Damaging wind gusts up to 120km/h are occurring near the coast between Cape Moreton and Cape Byron.

Destructive wind gusts of up to 155 kilometres per hour are likely to develop about coastal and island locations near, and to the south of, the cyclone centre, as Alfred's destructive core approaches the coast during Friday afternoon, and persist until Alfred crosses the coast late Friday evening or early Saturday.

Although is expected to Alfred cross the coast and move inland during Saturday, damaging wind gusts may continue, particularly over elevated terrain for most of Saturday. Winds are expected to ease overnight on Saturday.

Here’s what you need to know in the City of Moreton Bay at a glance …

• TC Alfred is a Category 2 system and is expected to cross the coast very early Saturday morning between Noosa and Coolangatta.
• We need to prepare for damaging and destructive wind gusts, up to 155km/h about coastal and island locations near and to south of the cyclone centre.
• A dangerous storm tide is forecast and will affect low-lying coastal and canal areas.
• Abnormally high tides are also expected to cause flooding.
• Heavy rainfall may develop from tonight. Heavy to intense rainfall which could lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding may occur near and south of the cyclone centre.
• Residents from some areas on Bribie Island were evacuated yesterday. See the story here
• Evacuation centres are open at Strathpine Hall, 199 Gympie Rd, Strathpine; Caboolture Memorial Hall, 61/65 King St, Caboolture; and Hope Centre, 18 Buchanan St, Rothwell.
• Council flood maps are available. See the story here
• Several roads are closed across the City of Moreton Bay. See the list here
• 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.
• Anyone experiencing homelessness who needs assistance can phone the 24/7 Homeless Hotline on 1800 474 753.
• 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