“We’re prepared, we’re asking Queenslanders to do the same,” Premier David Crisafulli told media at a conference in the state capital Brisbane on March 3.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to make landfall on Mar. 6 or early on Mar. 7 bringing with it heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding.
It will be the first time a cyclone directly moves over the southeast Queensland region in 50 years, which is now home to 4 million people.
“It is a really rare event for South East Queensland but it is serious, and it is happening and we want Queenslanders to be prepared,” Crisafulli said.
“We want Queenslanders to know we'll get through this if you do the preparation - and the little things you do now make a big difference at the back end of the system in whatever it looks like, wherever it crosses at whatever intensity.”
While the cyclone is expected to impact a vast area from Noosa on the north of the Sunshine Coast, all the way to the New South Wales (NSW) border and beyond to the Northern Rivers region.
Riverine flooding is expected as far north as Maryborough in the Wide Bay.
Emergency workers are calling on Queenslanders to keep an eye on their neighbours and reach out to anyone who may not be aware.
“Talk to neighbours ... there is still an element of the population that hasn’t understood the magnitude of the situation,” Crisafulli warned.
Vulnerable people on island communities, such as Bribie Island off Caboolture or Russell Island in the Redlands, are being evacuated, with others told to make firm plans within the next 24 hours if they are staying put.
The government is sending generators and additional supplies and medical staff to these communities, which could be cut off from the mainland.
People on house boats are also being warned to consider their safety.
Supermarkets to Stock 24/7, Limits on Bottled Water Buying
Major supermarket chains are working overtime to keep shelves stocked with essentials, with Crisafulli announcing the removal of curfews on restocking.Over the past few days, shoppers around Brisbane cleared shelves at major supermarket chains like Coles and Woolworths.
In response, grocery stores will be allowed to restock over 24-hour periods across 21 local government areas in the affected region.
Crisafulli says the lifting of restrictions on restock amounts will last for two weeks, noting that trucks were still able to deliver supplies from the north and the south of the state.
In the latest Woolworths update, stores across southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales will continue to receive stock, while limits have been placed on the purchase of bulk water.
“We’re increasing the amount of key products such as pasta, rice, soup, nappies, baby food and formula, milk, and frozen vegetables being sent to stores,” a Woolworths spokesperson told The Epoch Times.
“Additional supplies of water, bread and other pantry essentials are also being delivered to our Brisbane Regional Distribution Centre, which will then be sent to stores across the regions.
“We thank the Queensland government for the lifting of transport curfews which gives us the flexibility to make deliveries outside our usual times to ensure we can get stock into stores where it’s needed as quickly as possible.”
Sandbags Prepared
Already 100,000 sandbags have been made available across the region, with an additional 250,000 arriving in the next 24 hours. Richlands depot on the south of Brisbane is also expecting a major shipment.Boating Services Closing
The Port of Brisbane has now closed to freight, and CityCat public ferry services have ceased.Helpline for the Homeless
Homeless people are strongly being urged to make use of community services.Crisafulli says the housing department is working with local groups to provide immediate help.
Airports Preparing
In its latest update, Brisbane Airport reported it was continuing to monitor the incoming cyclone.A Reminder on Keepsakes
Special keepsakes such as family photos should be moved out of danger zones, or stored in waterproof containers, emergency workers say.Cyclone Watch to Become ‘Warning’
Meteorology experts maintain that models vary, but the system is expected to turn towards the coast overnight, before crossing onto land between Mar. 6 and 7.High tide periods will be particularly volatile, with Brisbane’s high tide set to peak in the early hours of Mar. 7.
Experts say the system is likely to hit in three stages—starting with big surf and erosion which has already manifested in a wave over seven metres recorded off North Stradbroke Island.
The second phase will include damaging and destructive winds, followed by a third wave involving heavy rain and flooding.
Latest weather information suggests wind gusts of 90 kilometres an hour along the coast late on Mar. 5, with increasingly destructive winds overnight on Mar. 6 through to 7.
Rainfall will also start to impact coastal communities from Mar. 5.
Rainfall totals could exceed 100 millimetres as Alfred moves closer, with rainfall moving inland and becoming more intense, leading to rainfall totals of around 200mm daily, with 400mm daily totals “not out of the question.”
Extra Staff on Standby
In an unusual role reversal, north Queensland is assisting its southern cousins in the region’s time of need.A semi-trailer from Cairns is bringing motorised rescue gear and swift water technicians who will arrive on March 5, and will be positioned from Maryborough to the NSW border.
Police and firefighters are issuing a strong warning not to drive in flood waters or be tempted to swim in causeways or creeks.
NSW Preparing
The State Emergency Service in NSW is ready to respond.“Our incredible SES volunteers are already on the ground in Northern NSW helping communities get prepared,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said.
“If you’re in Northern NSW, make sure that you’re tuning into to emergency service communications, have downloaded the hazards near me app and most importantly, never drive through flood waters.
“If it’s flooded, forget it.”
The NSW SES says it has received 1,500 calls for sandbags so far, and has deployed two helicopters as well as a high clearance vehicle at Lismore, and another for the Mid North Coast.
