Watch and Act issued: prepare now ahead of Tropical Cyclone Alfred

Redland City Council has issued a Watch and Act alert for Redlands Coast ahead of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which is expected to cross the south-east Queensland coast later this week.

Residents who feel unsafe in their homes are urged to leave now and take shelter with friends or family. This particularly applies to island residents as ferry services will be impacted.

Those who decide to stay should prepare now.

Redland Local Disaster Management Group deputy chair and Acting Mayor Julie Talty said Council was preparing for the impacts of the cyclone.

“Council teams are on the ground assisting with work such as clearing drains and attending to downed trees.

“Any road damage or other issues should be reported to Council on 3829 8999, before, during and after the event.

“The best thing our residents and visitors can do is be prepared.”

Ferry services

Amity Trader ferries to Coochiemudlo Island and Sealink ferries to North Stradbroke Island will stop on Tuesday 4 March.

Amity Trader’s last vehicle barge to Coochiemudlo Island will leave from Victoria Point at 11am. The last passenger ferries will leave from Coochiemudlo Island at 6.45pm and from Victoria Point at 7pm.

Amity Trader has advised it will reinstate both services on Friday 7 March, dependent on weather conditions.

Sealink’s passenger ferry to North Stradbroke Island will cease operations on Tuesday 4 March, with the final ferry leaving Dunwich at 10.45am.

Vehicle ferries are still operating but Sealink advises vehicle ferries will likely not be running on Wednesday and Thursday.

Sealink passenger and vehicle ferries to the Southern Moreton Bay Islands are currently operating as normal, but services may be cancelled on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Stradbroke Flyer has advised there may be restricted services on Wednesday and Thursday with the possibility of no services from Friday to Sunday.

Residents and visitors should monitor the website and Facebook pages of the ferry service providers for the latest information.

INFORMATION ON HOW TO PREPARE

Check or make an emergency kit:

 Prepare your property:

Fill your car with fuel or charge it. Park it undercover. Do not park under a tree.Put away or tie down outside items like furniture, gas bottles, and play equipment.If your home is not safe, plan to stay with family or friends.If you are near the beach or a coastal waterway, storm surge could cause flooding. This is dangerous. Decide now where you will evacuate to.Close cyclone shutters if you have them, or cover windows with plywood, mattress, or heavy blanket.Find out how to safely turn off power, solar, water, and gas to your house. Be ready to turn it off if told to.Check your family, friends and neighbours know what to do. Help them if you can.

If you find it hard to move quickly or have special or medical needs:

Use your Person-Centred Emergency Plan (P-CEP) now if you have one.Make sure you have enough medicine for at least one week. If anyone in your house uses powered medical equipment, like a dialysis machine or ventilator, decide now where you will go in case you lose power. Call your support person or service to organise transport if you need to leave.Leaving early is safer than waiting.

Water Transport:

Council has been advised that all passenger ferries and vehicle ferries to and from North Stradbroke Island, Coochiemudlo Island and the Southern Moreton Bay Islands will be impacted from tomorrow. Residents and visitors should check with their ferry operator for changes. Operators have cyclone plans in place.SeaLink North Stradbroke Island: sealink.com.au/north-stradbroke-island/SeaLink SMBI: sealink.com.au/bay-islands/Amity Trader: (07) 38206557.

If you are a tourist, visitor, camper or caravanner:

Campers and caravanners should start packing up now.If you do not need to be in the warning area, leave now. Check road conditions and plan your route before you leave.If you stay, ask accommodation staff where to shelter if the cyclone comes.

Sandbagging stations:

For more information: