Tropical Cyclone Alfred: sandbags ready

Residents across the Moreton Bay region are today following the warnings and preparing for Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Mayor Peter Flannery and Premier David Crisafulli have urged residents to “take the threat seriously and prepare”.

Cyclone Alfred is expected to re-intensify to Category 2 strength and cross the coast in South-East Queensland. Currently, it is not known where.

In readiness, hundreds of people have already been to Moreton Bay City Council sandbag stations.

Some, which the Moreton Daily spoke to in Redcliffe, were preparing their properties as well as helping family and neighbours.

John was filling sandbags with his sister: “My nephew has problems with his house and we’re being proactive really.

“Today was all about cleaning up the yard … he’s renting, we’re just trying to help him out. He’s at work.”

Heath had a close call in the floods of 2022 and was “getting prepared this time”.

“Did the neighbour’s house earlier this morning,” he said.

“There’s emails and texts coming out saying help your neighbour so everyone’s doing that.”

Thirteen sandbag stations have been opened by Moreton Bay City Council:

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

Some residents have contacted the Moreton Daily saying shoppers are stocking up on such as bottled water and toilet paper.

One emailed to say a supermarket in Margate ran out of bottled water earlier today.

A Cyclone Watch has been issued for South-East Queensland, covering the area from Sandy Cape to Grafton in New South Wales.

There is also a Flood Watch, with catchments already saturated. It includes the Pine and Caboolture Rivers.

The Bureau of Meteorology says it is a Category 1 system at present (10am) with sustained winds near the centre of 85km/h with wind gusts to 120km/h.

At the time of writing, the cyclone is 465km east northeast of Brisbane and 430km east northeast of Maroochydore, moving at 20km/h.

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

Sandbags stations are active.

Green waste stations are free and open for people to prepare their property ahead of severe weather.

Evacuation centres will open as required. Council will inform residents.

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