With the Bureau of Meteorology indicating that Tropical Cyclone Alfred will cross the south-east Queensland coast later than initially predicted, Redland City Council is urging people to use the extra time to ensure they are well prepared for the severe weather conditions ahead.
Previously forecast to start crossing the coast from Thursday night to Friday morning, the Bureau is now expecting the system to make landfall from Friday evening.
Redland City Mayor Jos Mitchell said that, despite the time changing, Tropical Cyclone Alfred was still expected to have serious impacts on the region, and this extra time provided people with the opportunity to consider whether to shelter at home as the cyclone crosses or to seek refuge with friends or family.
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“As a last resort for people with no other options, Council has opened several places of refuge across the city,” the Mayor said.
“These are basic facilities and not designed as evacuation centres.
“They do not have beds or food and are not intended as long-term shelter but are for people who don’t feel safe at home, and who don’t have others they can shelter with, to take refuge during the most intense part of the cyclone.
“People who wish to shelter in a place of refuge are asked to bring essential items only, such as non-perishable food, drinking water, personal hygiene items, medications, phone, wallet/purse, keys, and identification.”
Alcohol is not permitted, and pets cannot be accommodated.
Following the cyclone, Council will determine whether evacuation centres, which offer longer term shelter and extra facilities, are needed.
As Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches the south-east coastline, Council’s places of refuge are open at the following locations:
- CLEVELAND: Cleveland Assembly Hall, 46 Smith Street Hall (Cleveland District State High School)
- NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND: Dunwich Community Hall, 6 Ballow Road
- MACLEAY ISLAND: Macleay Island Community Hall, cnr Southsea Terrace and High Central Road
- RUSSELL ISLAND: BIMSARA Hall, 2 Union Street
- LAMB ISLAND: Pioneer Hall, 125 Lucas Drive
- COOCHIEMUDLO ISLAND: Coochiemudlo Recreation Club, 41b Elizabeth Street
People sheltering at home are again asked to:
Secure your property
- Check your property for loose items and ensure they are packed away or securely tied down
- Reinforce windows and clear gutters and drains
- Ensure your car is under shelter, if possible, with the handbrake on
- If you expect your property to flood, consider moving vehicles, boats and caravans to higher ground and raise items in your house
- As the cyclone approaches, turn off and unplug all non-essential electrical equipment
Prepare an emergency kit that includes the following:
- A three-day supply of non-perishable food for your household’s people and pets
- A personal water supply
- A week’s supply of essential medications
- Personal hygiene items, including hand sanitiser
- A clean set of clothing
- Torches and spare batteries
- Battery-operated radio and spare batteries
- First aid kit
- Fully charged mobile phone and back-up power source
- Important documents stored inside plastic bags or a waterproof container
- Some cash in case ATM/EFTPOS systems are impacted
Prepare a safe room
- During the cyclone, stay inside and shelter in the strongest part of your home. This is often the bathroom, toilet, or hallway
- Use mattresses and blankets to protect yourself and your family
- Ensure you have a change of clothes and shoes in your safe room
- Also have food, water, entertainment, and an evacuation bag packed and inside your safe room
- Have your emergency kit nearby
Prepare for a possible storm surge
Redland City Council has issued a storm surge Watch and Act alert, and people living along coastal areas and island communities are advised to prepare for a possible, localised storm surge.
A storm surge occurs when a cyclone causes a rise in sea level above the normal tide levels.
Storm surges are a threat to life and property.
During a storm surge, sea water can travel a long way inland and through coastal creeks and rivers, which can flood and damage buildings, wash away roads and cars, and damage bridges.
Roads could be blocked by fallen trees, powerlines, or flood water from the cyclone, and power, water, phone, and sewerage services could stop working.
It is vital that people prepare now.
For detailed information on preparing for a storm surge, visit Council’s news site: Prepare Now – storm surge Tropical Cyclone Alfred
For emergency help in floods and storms, contact the SES on 132 500 or download the SES Assistance QLD App.
In life threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Council has also issued a Watch and Act alert for Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
These alerts, with detailed information about what to do how to stay safe, can found be in the interactive map on Council’s Disaster Dashboard.
Stay informed
- Follow Council’s disaster dashboard at disaster.redland.qld.gov.au, where you can also subscribe to Council’s free emergency messaging service, Redlands Coast Alerts.
- Follow Redland City Council on Facebook or Council’s news site at redlandscoasttoday.com.au.
- Listen to ABC Radio Brisbane – 612 AM.
- For power outage information go to energex.com.au.
- Check the latest weather, warnings, rainfall, and river heights at bom.gov.au/qld/
- Check road closures at qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/ or call 131 940.
If you need help, contact:
- SES: 132 500
- Emergencies: Triple Zero (000)
- Redland City Council: 3829 8999
- Energex: 13 19 62, to report fallen power lines
Please be aware that emergency services might not be able to respond as the cyclone crosses the region.
