News
4 March, 2025
Cyclone on target for Moreton
RESIDENTS in low-lying Moreton Bay areas are being encouraged to relocate as soon as possible, with Cyclone Alfred forecast to make a direct hit on the region early Friday morning.
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The Category 2 storm is set to deliver wind gusts of up to 140km/hr, flash flooding, including up to 390mm of rain over three days, and potential power outages that could last days.
Mayor, Peter Flannery, urged residents to prepare now, saying residents needed “to take the very real danger of a significant cyclone event in the area seriously.”
“Cyclones and the associated destructive winds are different from what many people may have experienced,” he said on Tuesday.
“If winds get above 80km/h, it will become unsafe to move, and we will not be able to assist residents. So, I encourage people to make an emergency plan now. We encourage people to consider staying with family and friends if living in low-lying or exposed areas, prone to flooding.”
Bribie Island began suffering damage over the weekend, with breakthroughs in the northern tip and Bribie Island South. Sandbag sites were struggling under unprecedented demand, with 1000 tonnes and 60,000 bags taken on Monday alone.
Sites are being replenished regularly and are available at Beachmere (Rogers Street Sports Grounds), Bongaree (Bribie Island SES), Caboolture (Caboolture Council Depot Car Park), Elimbah (Coronation Drive - Opposite the church in the median strip), and Woodford (Woodford Depot, and Woodford Memorial Hall in the rear car park).
Green waste stations are also free and open, with households urged to clear gutters and debris. Evacuation centres will open as required, with Moreton Bay Council informing residents.
Trees on major roads, including the Bruce Highway and D’Aguilar Highway, should be reported to the Department of Transport and Main Roads on 13 19 40. Energex advised anyone encountering fallen powerlines to stay well clear and call 13 19 62 immediately. Residents should also subscribe to power outage alerts via Energex.com.au.
Both the BOM and Higgins Storm Chasing predicted a westward shift by Tuesday, bringing the system towards the southern Queensland coast.
Projections indicated Alfred would regain Category 2 strength before making landfall late Thursday or early Friday, with potential impact zones stretching from southeast Queensland to northern New South Wales.
Damaging winds between 60 and 90km/h were expected along the coast, with gusts of up to 110km/h, increasing to 120-140km/h near the cyclone’s centre.
Three-day rainfall totals were likely to exceed 390mm in Morayfield from Thursday to Saturday. The closest a cyclone has come to Brisbane was in 1990 when Cyclone Nancy came close.
Tropical Cyclone Wanda crossed in the Wide Bay region in 1974. For storm and flood assistance, the SES can be reached on 13 25 00, while power outages should be reported to Energex at 13 62 62. Moreton Bay residents should monitor https://disaster.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/ for updated information, including road closures, sandbag centres, and evacuation centres.
