Tropical Cyclone Alfred

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

The Bureau of Meteorology has advised of the following Hazards:

Gales with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 kilometres per hour are expected to develop along the southeast Queensland and northeastern New South Wales coastal and island communities between Double Island Point and Grafton from later today and persist on Thursday.

DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS of up to 155 kilometres per hour 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 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.

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 and persist into Friday.

A separate Severe Weather Warning and Flood Watch are current for southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales.

Please refer to associated warnings at http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings.

Now is a critical time for local residents to prepare and understand the additional steps that can be taken in the event of significant rainfall, high winds and flash flooding.

Follow Get Ready Queensland for important information on how to prepare: https://www.getready.qld.gov.au/get-prepared

The Queensland Government Disaster Management page also provides regular information, updates and advice: https://www.disaster.qld.gov.au

Our local Moggill Group SES is also providing important information and advice on how best to prepare.

Please continue monitor the Bureau of Meteorology for condition details and weather updates: http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/index.shtml

Local Disaster Dashboards are a vital source of information and can be accessed via:

Brisbane City Council:

https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/…/emergency-dashboard

Ipswich City Council:

http://emd.ipswich.qld.gov.au

Additional measures to Get Ready and be prepared also include:

Secure loose items around the home.

Know where and how to turn off the main supply for water, power, gas, and solar panels and batteries in case you need to.

Fuel up your car in case you need to evacuate.

Secure caravans and boats.

Identify the safest room in your home where you can shelter if needed.

Make arrangements to keep pets and/or livestock safe.

As always, if it’s flooded, forget it.

To view the latest road closures and road conditions please visit:

QLD Traffic: Current Closures –

https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au

The Moggill Ferry is closed. For Moggill Ferry status and updates please visit: https://www.sealink.com.au/moggill/ferry-status/

Please follow Seqwater for latest dam release information and updates: https://www.seqwater.com.au/dam-release-update

For information regarding schools please visit:

https://closures.qld.edu.au

The Brisbane City Council provides pre-filled sandbags to residents and businesses in the Council area. For more information please visit: https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/…/flooding…/sandbags…

As with any weather event, please remember:

If you are in an emergency and need immediate assistance please call 000.

For non-life threatening emergency and disaster assistance, please call the SES Hotline on 132 500.

For those requiring specific medicines and medication, ensure you have sufficient supplies. If anyone in your household uses powered medical equipment, like a dialysis machine or ventilator, it is important to make a plan for the event of loss of power. This includes talking with your energy provider and/or considering alternative power sources (e.g a generator).