Tropical Cyclone Alfred: Moreton Bay updates

Image: Zoom Earth

By Nick Crockford and Kylie Knight

UPDATE 7.48PM: The Bureau of Meteorology says the latest weather model data shows Tropical Cyclone Alfred could cross the coast later than expected.

It remains a Category 2 system with sustained winds near the centre of 95km/h with wind gusts up to 130km/h.

Alfred is presently 365km east of Brisbane and 340km east northeast of Gold Coast, moving at just 7km/h.

It will continue its approach towards the southeast Queensland coast tonight, with the far western edge already impacting the coast from about Coolangatta to Ballina.

Alfred is forecast to maintain this intensity as it continues to approach the southeast Queensland coast.

The centre of Alfred is expected to cross the coast during Friday, noting that latest weather model data indicates the potential for a later crossing time than previously indicated.

The location of crossing still remains most likely between Maroochydore and Coolangatta.

UPDATE 6.30PM: Moreton Bay City Council Mayor Peter Flannery says regardless of where Tropical Cyclone Alfred crosses, the city can expect high winds not seen for 50 years, plenty of rain and storm surges which could threaten low-lying areas.

He spoke to Moreton Daily late today ahead of another cyclone briefing tonight.

It comes as Tropical Cyclone Alfred makes its way towards the southern Queensland coast, with Moreton Bay still in the firing line.

Alfred is expected to cross the coast early Friday morning, most likely between Maroochydore and Coolangatta. Some models show it stalling off the coast and crossing on Saturday.

Mayor Flannery said, during this morning's briefing from the Premier, he was told the cyclone could move further south than first expected.

“But who knows? It’s moving around a lot, so we’ll wait and see. We’ll get more of an update later on tonight,” he said.

“Either way, I think we’re going to cop an enormous amount of wind … high winds that we haven’t seen for many, many, many decades. People may not have seen them for over 50 years. (There will be) lots of rain.

“We’re concerned about the storm surges on top of a high tide which is predicted between Thursday night and Friday morning, when the cyclone is supposed to come over. It could be a double-whammy there.

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UPDATE 2PM: The Bureau of Meteorology has issued its latest Tropical Cyclone Alfred update.

The cyclone remains a Category 2, with sustained winds near the centre of 95km/h and wind gusts to 130km/h.

It is presently 335km east of Brisbane and 310km east northeast of the Gold Coast, moving at 16km/h.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is moving towards the South East Queensland coast and is forecast to maintain this intensity as it approaches land on Thursday.

Alfred is expected to cross the coast early Friday morning, most likely between Maroochydore and Coolangatta.

Gales with damaging wind gusts to 120km/h are expected to develop along the South East Queensland and northeastern New South Wales coastal and island communities between Double Island Point and Grafton from later today and persist on Thursday, and Friday.

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

Damaging surf leading to significant beach erosion remains likely for the open beaches between Double Island Point and Grafton, and further south over the New South Wales coast.

Heavy rainfall is forecast for South East Queensland and northeastern New South Wales from Thursday.

UPDATE 1.15PM: Transport and Main Roads (TMR) says buses and trains will suspend operations. Here are the details:

Public transport: Buses will suspend operations after the final service this evening. At this stage there will be no public transport services from tomorrow until further notice. Users of public transport should monitor https://translink.com.au/servi... for updates.

Queensland Rail: Rail services will be suspended after the last scheduled services this evening. Passengers are urged to monitor the Translink website for updates. Suspending QR services in a timely manner enables crews to safely shut down the network.

Maritime: Maritime Safety Queensland advises a Red Alert to Seek / Take Shelter has been issued by the Brisbane Regional Harbour Master, taking effect from 2pm today. This means no vessels are permitted on the water until further notice. Mariners are advised to maintain watch and listen on VHF channel 12, 13 and 16 where possible. Always check www.qldmaritime.msq.qld.gov.au for the latest information. Boaters should also review MSQ’s ‘Extreme Weather Event Contingency Plan 2024-25’ and relevant appendix for each area at https://www.msq.qld.gov.au/saf...

Roads: TMR expects impacts to roads and bridges due to flooding and/or high winds. The public should avoid travelling on roads tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday as it will not be safe due to rain and wind conditions. Certain roads and bridges may close, depending on conditions. Road users are reminded to drive to conditions and monitor QLDTraffic for the most reliable and up-to-date information regarding conditions, closures and traffic alerts. Road users can also download the QLDTraffic app or call 13 19 40. Remember, if it’s flooded, forget it.

Digital Licence: Queenslanders can also download the Digital Licence app now. The Digital Licence is legally equivalent to a physical card under Queensland law, assisting in identity verification during a disaster. Download the Digital Licence app | Transport and motoring | Queensland Government.

Customer Facilities: TMR’s Customer Service Centres and QGAP facilities will be closed tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday. Please remember many transactions can be completed using our online services. Those with practical driving tests over the next two days are being contacted. Visit https://www.qld.gov.au/transpo... for more on centre closures.


UPDATE 11AM: Schools will close tomorrow and Friday and people are being urged to stay at home as Tropical Cyclone Alfred makes its way to the coast.

Premier David Crisafulli has just provided an update alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The warning area has tightened and is now between Double Island Point and the New South Wales border. At this stage, the cyclone is expected to cross the coast somewhere between Brisbane and the Gold Coast as a category 2 system overnight on Thursday or early Friday morning.

Mr Crisafulli said it is important people in low-lying areas make arrangements to stay with family or friends, or use an evacuation centre as a last resort.

For those not in at-risk areas, the safest place is at home. He said there were hours, not days, left to prepare properties for high winds and heavy rain.

“One thing is for certain, there will be a cyclone to cross the coast,” he said.

“The threat is real. This system will challenge large parts of our coastline.”

The Australian Defence Force is on standby as are aircraft with winch capability, and 180 swiftwater rescue personnel.

Public transport will continue to run today, unless winds exceed 90km/h, but will not operate tomorrow or Friday. Bridges, such as the Gateway Bridge, will close once winds reach that intensity.

Airports and Airlines will work closely with the Bureau of Meteorology and communicate directly with passengers.

From noon today, there is a red alert for vessels. This means no vessels will be permitted on the water without permission from the Harbour Master.

Elective surgery will continue today but will be paused on Thursday and Friday. Hospitals will continue to provide emergency care, with generators on standby.

“We are taking it (the cyclone threat) seriously and we are ready. I have every faith Queenslanders will get through this,” Mr Crisafulli said.

The RNA Showgrounds will be opened as a refuge centre, providing safe haven during the cyclone event.

Prime Minister Albanese said governments at all three levels are working together to ensure South East Queensland is prepared for the cyclone and the response required after it passes.

Arrangements have been made to ensure families and services are not out-of-pocket with the closure of childcare centres in affected areas.

He said Services Australia will be on the ground very quickly to provide necessary assistance.

UPDATE 9.44AM: Moreton Bay City Council is urging residents to make final preparations before Tropical Cyclone Alfred makes landfall. This is predicted to be Thursday night/Friday morning.

The window to prepare is closing.

Sandbag stations are being replenished and will close today from noon. As of yesterday, Council had gone through 2600 tonnes of sand and will be taking an additional 800 tonnes today.

More than 200,000 sandbags have already been distributed and an extra 40,000 are coming today. Council is encouraging people to only take what they need, help their friends out and remain calm.

Refuge centres will be opening today from noon. People should stay with family and friends as a first option. Evacuation centres are a last resort. People should bring as little as possible to these centres.

The centres are at Strathpine Hall, 199 Gympie Rd, Strathpine, Caboolture Memorial Hall, 61/65 King St, Caboolture, and Hope Centre, 18 Buchanan St, Rothwell.

All Council-owned boat ramps and jetties will be progressively closing today. People should check the MSQ Dashboard for preparation of their boats and watercraft. https://www.qldmaritime.msq.ql...;

Vulnerable and low-lying roads will close today from 9am. This is already being progressively actioned.

Key roads include Youngs Crossing, Petrie and the William Berry Underpass Road, Morayfield.

Other locations are:

Mott St, Strathpine

Todds Gully, Lawnton

Zillmans Crossing, Rocksberg

Cobb & Co Track, Elimbah

Willaims Rd, Moodlu

Bells Pocket, Lawnton

UPDATE 8AM: The Bureau of Meteorology has just issued an update on Tropical Cyclone Alfred (7.53am).

The Category 2 system has sustained winds near the centre of 95km/h with wind gusts to 130km/h.

It is 425km east of Brisbane and 390km east of Gold Coast, moving at 11km/h.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is moving west towards the South East Queensland coast. It is forecast to maintain this intensity as it approaches the coast on Thursday.

Alfred is expected to cross the coast early Friday morning, most likely between Maroochydore and Coolangatta.

UPDATE 7.15AM: Moreton Bay City Council is asking residents in low-lying coastal and canal areas to consider staying with family and friends, as Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches.

QPS and SES personnel have been doorknocking areas that will be flooded by high tides and severe weather, including parts of Toorbul, Beachmere, Donnybrook, Meldale, Bribie Island, Clontarf, Griffin and Scarborough.

Council is expected to open places of emergency refuge for all people including those experiencing homelessness. Moreton Daily will provide location details when they are available.

TC Alfred remains a Category 2 system with sustained winds near the centre of 95km/h and wind gusts up to 130km/h.

It is 465km east of Brisbane and 430km east of the Gold Coast, moving at 11km/h.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is moving west towards the southeast Queensland coast and is expected to maintain Category 2 intensity as it approaches the South East Queensland coast on Thursday.

Alfred is expected to cross the coast late Thursday or early Friday morning, most likely between the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.

UPDATE 5AM: Weather conditions will deteriorate today as Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues to make a beeline for the South East Queensland coast with Moreton Bay in the firing line.

TC Alfred remains a Category 2 system with sustained winds near the centre of 95km/h and wind gusts up to 130km/h.

It is 465km east of Brisbane and 430km east of the Gold Coast, moving at 11km/h. This morning's modelling shows a potential crossing south of Brisbane, but the cyclone's path remains unpredictable and a broad warning area remains from Double Island Point to Grafton.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is moving west towards the southeast Queensland coast and is expected to maintain Category 2 intensity as it approaches the South East Queensland coast on Thursday.

Alfred is expected to cross the coast late Thursday or early Friday morning, most likely between the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast. Residents in the City of Moreton Bay are being urged to prepare now. 

Gales with damaging wind gusts up to 120km/h are expected to develop along the South East Queensland and northeastern New South Wales coastal and island communities between Double Island Point and Grafton from later today and persist on Thursday.

Gales may extend further north from Double Island Point to Sandy Cape during Thursday if Alfred tracks further to the north.

Destructive wind gusts of up to 155km/h may develop about coastal and island locations near and to the south of the track from Thursday afternoon as Alfred's destructive core approaches and crosses the coast.

A dangerous storm tide may occur along the coastal foreshore, particularly in areas near and south of the cyclone centre, if the time of coastal crossing coincides with the high tide during Thursday night or early Friday morning.

Tides are likely to rise significantly above the highest high tide mark with damaging waves and dangerous inundation of coastal low-lying areas.

Abnormally high tides are likely to continue causing minor flooding of coastal low lying areas between Sandy Cape and Grafton, particularly during the time of high tides early Thursday morning (Wednesday night) and early Friday morning (Thursday night).

Damaging surf leading to significant beach erosion remains likely for the open beaches between Sandy Cape and Grafton, and further south over New South Wales coast.

A separate Coastal Hazard and Hazardous Surf Warning is current for southeast Queensland and northeastern New South Wales coasts.

Heavy rainfall is forecast for southeast Queensland and northeastern New South Wales from Thursday. Heavy to locally intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding may occur near and south of the cyclone centre as Alfred approaches the coast late on Thursday.

A separate Severe Weather Warning and Flood Watch are current for South East Queensland and northeast New South Wales, which includes the Pine and Caboolture rivers.

Major events have been cancelled across South East Queensland and the City of Moreton Bay including the Dolphins V Rabbitohs NRL game on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium. It has been moved to Sydney. 

Moreton Kidsfest at Pine Rivers Park has been cancelled.

Council assistance

Moreton Bay City Council is expected to open places of emergency refuge for all people including those experiencing homelessness. Moreton Daily will provide location details when they are available.

Council is encouraging people to plan and leave early to stay with family or friends in less vulnerable locations if they are at risk.

Council is now providing only essential services across the city due to the expected impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred and safety considerations.

Services that will continue to be delivered:

• Operations - Disaster Response and Recovery
• Cemetery Services
• Disaster Management
• Environmental Health
• Plumbing Services
• Public Safety
• Call Centre Operations
• Website Services - Content Management
• Information and Communication Technology Services
• Communications

All waste facilities will close on Thursday, March 6 and will re-open when safe to do so. There will also be no kerbside collection services on Thursday and Friday however, catchup services will be undertaken on impacted properties from next week when it is safe to do so.

A number of Council facilities have now closed. Further information can be found on Council’s website or by phoning Council’s call centre on (07) 3205 0555.

Other Council services will continue to be delivered remotely during this time and until it is safe to return to normal operations.

Thirteen sandbag stations remain open to the public across the City of Moreton Bay:

Arana Hills SES – 2 Pine Hills Drive (off Jinker Track), Arana Hills

Beachmere – Rogers Street Sports Ground, Beachmere

Bribie Island SES – 208 First Avenue, Bongaree

Caboolture Council Depot car park – 98 Beerburrum Road, Caboolture

Deception Bay Gem Club car park – 24-52 Old Bay Road, Deception Bay

Elimbah – Coronation Drive, Elimbah

Narangba – Oakey Flat Road, between Raynbird Rd roundabout and Sovereign Rd roundabout

Petrie SES – 3 Woonara Drive, Petrie

Woodford Depot – 20 Durundur St, Woodford

Woodford Memorial Hall (rear car park) – 103 Archer St, Woodford

Dayboro Depot – 73 Bradley Street, Dayboro

Margate – opposite Council depot, Jull Street

Toorbul and Donnybrook Seniors Club – 1798 Pumicestone Road, Toorbul

Here’s what you need to know

Understand your Risk - Follow Council’s Disaster Dashboard here: https://disaster.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/

Make a Plan - Check your emergency kit, secure loose items around your home, speak to your family and household about what you’ll do in the event of storms or severe weather. https://www.getready.qld.gov.au/getting-ready/protect-your-home

Pack a Kit - Check your emergency kit and replace items you may need

Current weather warnings can be found at http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/

To find out more about how to prepare for a cyclone go to: Cyclone and storm surge | Get Ready Queensland