Live updates: Severe weather event Thursday 30 March

Severe weather update: 8:30pm Thursday 30 March

More than 10,500 homes are without power as destructive winds and heavy rain is being experienced in the Redlands this evening.

Major rainfall has passed and 150mm is expected overnight. However, strong winds over 100km/ hour will be problematic well into Friday.

There remains potential for flash flooding on Redlands roads so please drive carefully and heed all warnings. Remember…if it is flooded, forget it!

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The Local Disaster Management Group has been stood up to manage emergency operations with police, SES and Energex staff on the mainland and islands.

Leslie Harrison Dam

Seqwater advises Leslie Harrison Dam has started spilling excess water due to heavy rain.

If you are downstream of the dam, please avoid potential hazards such as fast flowing or deep water near waterways and floodplains. These hazards potentially threaten the safety of you and your property.

For dam release information visit: www.seqwater.com.au.

Power Outages

A total of 10,790 Redland City houses had been reported as having lost power as at 8.30pm. These include:

• Wellington Point – 1884
• Thornlands – 1836
• Macleay Island – 1792
• Russell Island – 1475
• Redland Bay ­– 1219
• Thorneside – 905
• Sheldon – 527
• Lamb Island – 362
• Alexandra Hills – 50
• Capalaba – 634
• Birkdale – 63
• Mt Cotton – 2
• Cleveland – 2
• Victoria Point – 2

Stay away from fallen power lines and alert people to any danger. Report fallen power lines on 13 19 62.

If you experience blackout:

• turn off and unplug electrical items
• use a torch for light if you’ve lost power and avoid using
• never use wet or damp electrical items.
• listen to local ABC radio or Bay FM 3 for updates
• Follow Energex on Facebook and Twitter or check the power outages page for the latest restoration

If you have a medical condition and are reliant on powered medical devices you should seek assistance from family or friends to get to a medical facility or contact emergency services. Please call 000 only for a life threatening emergency.

Road and infrastructure closures

Roads closed:

• Allan Day Drive, Wellington Point
• Avalon Road, Sheldon
• Pitt Road, Wellington Point (Near Nelson Rd)
• Ricketts Rd, Gumdale

Water over road:

• Moores Road, Redland Bay has water across road but remains open

Other Infrastructure Closed:

• Overflow carpark for Softball and Dog Off Leash – Sturgeon St, Ormiston (causeway under water)
• Mt Cotton Regional Park & Skatepark Carpark, – Bohemian Crescent, Mount Cotton (Public playing areas in floodwaters)
• Pedestrian Underpass – Hilliards Creek – Sturgeon St, Ormiston (Footpath under water)

Don’t risk your life to cross flooded areas on foot or in a vehicle irrespective of its size and remind children to stay away from floodwaters.

Transport updates

All vehicle and passenger ferry services to the islands have ceased for the evening.

QRail are experiencing delays across the network.

All buses running however there are delays across the network.

Free travel will continue on TransLink until last service today (Thursday 30 March). Normal fares will apply tomorrow (Friday 31 March).

Non-essential travel should be avoided.

Beach closures

It is expected that all beaches from Mackay to the Gold Coast will remain closed tomorrow due to powerful and potentially dangerous surf. Do not enter hazardous surf.

Schools

All public schools, private schools and childcare centres will remain closed Friday 31 March.

Assistance

In emergency situations always call 000.

*Use the SES 132500 number for immediate response calls and the 000 for emergency situations.

Stay updated

Tune in to 612ABC and Bay FM for the latest advice and keep an eye on Council’s website for the latest updates or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Go to the Redland Disaster Management website and check critical information for your preparation and preparedness.

Live update with Mayor Karen Williams at 8:30pm

8:10pm

7961 residents without power. .@Energex are working hard to restore power across the City. Stay away from fallen power lines and trees.

— Redland City Council (@RedlandCouncil) March 30, 2017

8:06pm

Leslie Harrison Dam is now spilling excess water. Details https://t.co/6b9lv0xsfA pic.twitter.com/s7xCAO2wp5

— Seqwater (@Seqwater) March 30, 2017

7.56pm

Energex reporting 6139 residents without power.

6139 residents in Redland CIty without power. Most effected: 1219 in Redland Bay, 1884 in Wellington Pt, 905 in Thorneside.

— Redland City Council (@RedlandCouncil) March 30, 2017

7.15pm

Energex reporting 3608 residents without power in Redland City.

Currently 3608 residents in Redland City without power. Please contact @Energex for more help and stay away from fallen power lines.

— Redland City Council (@RedlandCouncil) March 30, 2017

6.40pm Stradbroke Water Taxis update

There are no more water taxis tonight (Thursday 30 March).  The last one scheduled for 6.25pm was cancelled.  Service announcement due at 5am tomorrow (Friday 31 March).

6.30pm: Reports of fallen powerlines at Capalaba

A reminder to pickup a phone, NEVER a fallen powerline

https://twitter.com/RedlandCouncil/status/847366381775462400

Severe weather update: 5:20pm Thursday 30 March

More than 200 homes in the Redlands are without power as destructive winds and heavy rainfall head towards the  Redlands, expected to peak between 6pm and 9pm this evening

Rainfall totals of 200mm remain likely over the next 24 hours,  with the possibility of isolated falls exceeding 400mm and accompanying strong winds over 100km across the South East

Council staff will be at the below sandbag locations from 6am Friday to determine if more sandbags are required. The locations are below.

• Cleveland Showgrounds (Norm Price Park), Long Street, Cleveland

• North Stradbroke Island outside the depot compound on Mitchell Road, Dunwich

• Macleay Island outside the depot compound on High Central Road

• Russell Island Davidson Road Gravel Pit

ROAD AND INFRASTRUCTURE CLOSURE UPDATES

Roads Closed:

• Avalon Road, Sheldon

Water over Road:

• Pitt Road – near Nelson  Rd intersection, Wellington Point
• Moores Rd – at Moores Rd Park, Redland Bay

Other Infrastructure Closed:

• Overflow carpark – Softball and Dog Off Leash, Sturgeon St, Ormiston (causeway under water)
• Pedestrian Underpass – Hilliards Creek – Sturgeon St, Ormiston (Footpath under water)

Ferry services

Please note update – Bay Island Transit Ferries (call 3206-8033) Update. Services have altered  this afternoon. Unless further updated the following ferries will run from Redland Bay:  5.15pm, 6.20pm, 7.15pm. Night services will be confirmed later.

From Russell Island: There will be NO 5.15pm, OR 6.10pm.  There will be a 5.25pm and 6.50pm.

The vehicle services between Redland Bay and the Southern Moreton Bay Islands have stopped.

Vehicle ferry services from Cleveland to North Stradbroke Island have also ceased.

Passenger ferries to North Stradbroke Island are running on a limited service.

Ferries to Coochiemudlo Island are running on a limited service. The passenger ferry service will cease operation from 5.45pm departing Coochie and 6.00pm departing Victoria Point today.

The vehicular barge to Coochie ceased at 2.20pm.

Severe weather update: 3:40pm Thursday 30 March

The SMBI passenger ferry service is running to the normal timetable at present and island residents are encouraged to make their way home in a safe and timely manner.

Currently 290 customers are without power in Redlands after an ealier 1,520. Affected areas are Capalaba, Ormiston and Sheldon. For more information or to report an outage call 13 62 62 or visit the Energex website.

Power outages

1,520 customers without power in Redland City area. Check website for updates https://t.co/sP1Tgnm7xV

— Energex (@Energex) March 30, 2017

School closures

Department of Education and Training announces that schools closed today will also be closed tomorrow:

Schools closed today will be closed tomorrow. If you're unsure keep checking the school closures website for updates https://t.co/NUXgL6ncUR

— Queensland Department of Education (@QLDEducation) March 30, 2017

Redland City Mayor Cr Karen Williams gives an update on the severe weather at 2.30pm Thursday 30 March

1,520 customers without power in Redland City area. Check website for updates https://t.co/sP1Tgnm7xV

— Energex (@Energex) March 30, 2017

At 2:07pm the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has issued a severe weather warning for the southeast coast district predicting destructive winds and heavy rainfall.

Widespread 24 hour rainfall totals of 150 to 250 mm are expected, with significantly higher accumulations in excess of 400mm possible locally, mostly about the higher ground in southeast Queensland.

This rainfall is likely to lead to major river flooding over a broad area and a Flood Watch is current for coastal catchments between Hervey Bay and the NSW border, extending inland to parts of the Maranoa and Warrego, and Darling Downs and Granite Belt forecast districts.

Redland City Mayor Cr Karen Williams gives an update on the severe weather at 1pm Thursday 30 March

Avalon Road, Sheldon is currently closed.

The following roads are affected by water:

• Moores Road, Redland Bay
• Pitt Road, Birkdale
• Rickertt Road, Thorneside

The Waste Transfer Stations at Birkdale and Redland Bay will be closed from 1pm today due to the weather. Waste Transfer Stations will be open normal hours tomorrow, if safe to do so.

Storm force winds are likely to develop over coastal waters off the southern Queensland coast on Friday. Check https://t.co/8QnIc6Tglp pic.twitter.com/RRDgsXXRav

— BOM Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 30, 2017

Severe weather update: 11.45am Thursday 30 March

Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has issued several severe weather warnings this morning for the southeast coast district.

• Update: This warning has now been cancelled.11.33am: Severe thunderstorm warning for southeast Queensland for heavy rainfall. Most council areas in southeast Queensland have been listed but not Redland City at this stage.
• 11.08am: Dangerous surf conditions are expected in the southeast coast district including Moreton Bay.
• 10.50am: Severe weather warning for destructive winds and heavy rainfall. Widespread 24 hour rainfall totals in excess of 200 mm are possible, with isolated very heavy totals in excess of 400 mm possible, mostly around the higher ground in southeast Queensland. Destructive wind gusts, in excess of 125 km/h, are possible about the coastal fringe and elevated terrain of the Wide Bay and Burnett and Southeast Coast districts during today.

Please stay off the roads and keep informed by following updates on the Bureau of Meteorology website, Queensland Police social media, Queensland Fire social media and our news site:

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:

• Move your car under cover or away from trees.
• Secure loose outdoor items.
• Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
• Never drive, walk or ride through flood waters. If it’s flooded, forget it.
• Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
• For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

Coochiemudlo residents and visitors are advised that due to extreme weather conditions for this afternoon that the passenger ferry service will cease operation from 5.45pm departing Coochie and 6.00pm departing Victoria Point today. The vehicular barge is currently still operating and at this stage the last barge to Coochie remains at 4.20pm.

The Redland Performing Arts Centre (RPAC) box office will be closed today (12pm-4pm) due to the severe weather currently experienced and increased severity expected to take place this afternoon. Patrons can continue to book online 24/7 using the RPAC website. At this point in time, all scheduled performances occurring this weekend including Tubular Bells for Two and Raw Dance Untapped will continue as normal unless otherwise advised by RPAC management.

Redlands sports fields are closed until further notice. Council Officers will continue to monitor the field conditions over the coming days and will advise if these circumstances change.

@RedlandCouncil Mayor is asking island residents to prepare for damaging #winds over the next 12 hours. https://t.co/ZeDi8RHjkm

— abcemergency (@ABCemergency) March 30, 2017

10:05am Thursday 30 March

Some roads in Redlands are subject to flooding during heavy rainfall. See the full list of roads which may flood here.

Residents may experience some issues trying to call Council due to a fault at an Optus Tower at Redland Bay Road & Benfer Road, Victoria Point. Optus are trying to resolve the issue as fast as possible and we will advise when this is resolved.

Bin collections

JJ Richards are currently continuing as per normal with both their mainland and island bin collection services.

The Island services (Macleay, Lamb and Karragarra) are dependent on the barges and the decision to cancel a barge will be up to the skipper. If any barges are cancelled collections will cease and an alternative collection day will be arranged for Friday or Monday next week.

Mainland services will continue as normal, however the drivers are running behind schedule. If winds pick up to high speeds, it is suggested that residents move their bin is moved to a safe, secure area.

A Digital Marketing Workshop due to be held at the Alexandra Hills Hotel tonight has been cancelled.

Free travel after 10am today for #bigwet. Don’t touch on. More info https://t.co/05stAufHbE pic.twitter.com/spVMsV7lJy

— TransLink (@TransLinkSEQ) March 29, 2017

UPDATE for 30/3/17 only: The last vehicle ferry from Cleveland to North Stradbroke Island will be at 12pm. The… https://t.co/dEPp4gR9gl

— Stradbroke Ferries (@stradferries) March 29, 2017

Severe weather warning for destructive winds and heavy rainfall: 8.45am Thursday 30 March

Bureau Of Meteorology (BoM) has issued a severe weather warning for parts of Queensland, including the Southeast Coast district, for destructive winds and heavy rainfall as Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie extends southwards.

Widespread daily rainfall totals in excess of 200 mm are possible, with isolated very heavy daily totals in excess of 400 mm possible, mostly around the higher ground in southeast Queensland. Rainfall will be very intense at times, leading to a risk of severe localised flash flooding.