Tropical Cyclone Alfred is forecast to cross the coast between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
Weather bureau senior meteorologist Jonathan How said Alfred is predicted to make landfall late on Thursday or early Friday morning.
At 4.00am today Category 2 Alfred is 560 kilometres east of Maroochydore and is expected to slow and turn west towards the coast later today.
Alfred’s intensity may fluctuate between Category 1 and 2 over the next couple of days, but it is forecast to cross the coast as a Category 2.
It is the first time in 50 years a cyclone has made it this far south.
Gales with damaging wind gusts to 120 kilometres per hour are expected to develop along the southeast Queensland and northeastern New South Wales coastal fringes and island communities between Tewantin and Grafton on Wednesday.
Gales may extend further north from Tewantin to Sandy Cape late on Wednesday or early Thursday.
Heavy rain is forecast from Wednesday and heavy to intense rain which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding may occur near and south of the cyclone centre as Alfred approaches the coast.
Flood Watches have been issued between Sandy Cape and Yamba and damaging surf is likely for the same area, leading to significant beach erosion.
Door knocking will start today in low-lying areas of the Sunshine Coast, like Golden Beach and Pelican Waters to ensure residents know the risks.
Superintendent Craig Hawkins said there are concerns about flooding rain and storm surges in low-lying areas and other canal developments.
He said while Pumicestone Passage should protect Golden Beach from big waves, it won’t stop a possible storm surge.
He is urging residents to follow the instructions of emergency authorities and to not do anything foolish that puts rescuers and themselves at risk.
The Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said today is the last day for homeowners and businesses to prepare for the cyclone before it’s too late.
Things like preparing an emergency kit, and having enough food and water for three days.
Councillor Natoli said sandbags are available from numerous locations across the region.
Sandbags are also available across Noosa Shire.
Both Councillor Natoli and Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie are asking campers and caravaners at three council owned holiday parks to leave now if they can do so.
Areas affected include, Munna Point park on the Noosa River, Boreen Point and the Noosa north shore campgrounds as well as Cotton Tree in Maroochydore.
You can go to the Sunshine Coast and Noosa Council’s websites and click on their disaster pages for all the latest info on Cyclone Alfred.
Meanwhile, Energex is urging people to prepare to be without power for up to a week as it prepares for the worst and hopes for the best.
Energex area manager, Renee Kath, says it’s unclear where there could be outages, or for how long.
She said crews are on standby to swing into action when required.
And supermarkets are ramping up supply today in stores across the region, after panic buyers stripped shelves of bottled water, toilet paper and canned food.
A Coles spokeswoman said a lot more water will be going into stores today.
She said there are plenty of supplies in the supermarket’s distribution centres and is asking shoppers to be respectful.
.
