Bureau of Meteorology – Queensland Severe Weather Warning 1

23rd February 2019 EmergencyNews 6 Views

IDQ21037
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning

for DAMAGING WINDS, ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES and DANGEROUS SURF

For people in parts of Wide Bay and Burnett and Southeast Coast Forecast Districts.

Issued at 5:03 pm Saturday, 23 February 2019.

Abnormally high tides, dangerous surf, and damaging winds set to continue about the southeast Queensland coast and islands

Weather Situation: At 4pm AEST Saturday, ex-tropical cyclone Oma was situated over the southern Coral Sea, approximately 870 kilometres east to southeast of Brisbane. Earlier this morning, the system transitioned into a sub-tropical low and as a result, it was declassified as a tropical cyclone. It is forecast to continue moving east for the remainder of today before shifting to the north on Sunday.

Dangerous surf conditions are still occurring about exposed beaches along the southeast Queensland coast south of Sandy Cape, including the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast. These conditions are expected to continue on Sunday, then start easing from the south early Monday morning.

Water levels on the high tide may exceed the highest tide of the year about the southeast Queensland coast on Sunday.

Due to the dangerous surf conditions combining with abnormally high tides, significant beach erosion may persist until early next week.

Locally damaging wind gusts in excess of 90 kilometres per hour are likely about the exposed coast and islands between the Sunshine Coast and Qld/NSW border this afternoon and evening. Damaging wind gusts are no longer expected over the southern border ranges.

Locations which may be affected include Gold Coast, Maroochydore, Moreton Island, North Stradbroke Island, Noosa Heads, Caloundra, Rainbow Beach and Fraser Island.

Maximum wave heights of 12-13m recorded at Mooloolaba and off Point Lookout during Friday, which is larger than those recorded in ex-tropical cyclone Oswald.

98km/h wind gust was recorded at Cape Moreton at 3:05pm on Saturday.

91km/h wind gust was recorded at Double Island Point at 3:16pm on Saturday.

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.
* Surf Life Saving Australia recommends that you stay out of the water and stay well away from surf-exposed areas.
* Check your property regularly for erosion or inundation by sea water, and if necessary raise goods and electrical items.
* If near the coastline, stay well away from the water’s edge.
* 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.

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 11:00 pm AEST Saturday.

Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau’s website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 219. The Bureau and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.