Southeast Queensland beaches cop a pounding as king tides and Cyclone Oma combine

The southeast Queensland coast is copping a pounding as king tides and huge swells from Tropical Cyclone Oma threaten destruction on some of the state’s most popular beaches, and the worst is yet to come.

TROPICAL Cyclone Oma is expected to cause havoc to Queensland’s beaches in the coming days, with king tides, ferocious winds and land erosion making for dangerous conditions.

Offshore waves are expected to soar anywhere between 4-5m, while beach swells will reach up to two metres off beaches both north and south of Brisbane.

Double whammy of cyclone and king tide

Cairns roads under water as king tides peak

Winds may to reach up to 60km/h, while heavy rain will possibly hit as the cyclone inches closer towards the coast.

BEACHES CLOSED

Peregian

Main Beach, North Stradbroke Island

Buddina Beach on the Sunshine Coast has reopened due to improved conditions.

The effects of the category-two cyclone, which is sitting about 1400km northeast of the Brisbane coastline, come as the highest tides of the year hit Queensland’s most popular shores.

Meteorologist Adam Balzak warns that beaches will be unsafe in the coming days.

“We have very large swell heading into the coast,” Mr Balzak said.

“On top of that we have the highest tides of the year happening at the moment as well, so those two factors will combine to create not only beach erosion but dangerous beach conditions.

“Warnings include abnormally high tides tomorrow and Thursday, and even potentially dangerous surf conditions Thursday and Friday.”

A driver this morning gambled and lost attempting to go round the Mudlo Rocks at Rainbow Beach just before high tide. Rainbow Beach Towing

A spokesperson from Surf Lifesaving Queensland said more beach closures are expected throughout the coming days, while Lifeguard Supervisor Rhys Dury advised beach goers to stay home.

“It’s probably a good weekend to stay away,” Mr Dury said.

“We’ve already seen a bit of erosion on the sunny coast along the north shore.

“Lifeguards and lifesavers on the weekend will be looking at conditions… more than likely most of our beaches will be closed.

“For people walking along the beach… just be aware that where the steps normally are they may not be there this weekend.”

The Gold Coast’s chief lifeguard has warned locals and tourists against walking along the beach as the city prepares to be hit by a ‘perfect storm’ of treacherous conditions.

Tropical Cyclone Oma is bearing down on the Coast, with swells as high as five metres set to batter beaches from tomorrow morning and peaking on Thursday or Friday.

Get ready for some big swell. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

King tide conditions were already creating havoc at Rainbow Beach this morning where another vehicle became the latest Mudlo Rocks victim as its driver lost a gamble with nature.

By last Saturday the beach between Rainbow and Double Island Point was only just navigable by vehicle up to an hour after low tide.

That situation has worsened as the area pushes closer to a king tide tomorrow of 2.31m at 8.46am.

The power swell on the Gold Coast, paired with a king tide, will make beaches so dangerous that acting chief lifeguard Chris Maynard has urged people against walking on the beach.

“Yeah it is (a perfect storm) and the timing is unfortunate but it is very dangerous out there when we get that king tide and the big swells hitting the Coast,” he said.

“From 8am onward those times are going to be quite dangerous and there is not much beach area with the swell so we would advise people not stand on the sand or get close to the waters edge

“If you are going to take a look, stay on the footpath or dunal areas.”

Oma was last night sitting around 1600km northeast of southeast Queensland.

Chris Maynard, acting chief lifeguard for City of Gold Coast. Picture Glenn Hampson

While only a category two storm, Oma’s effects are far-reaching, with swells rising to between two and five metres.

The highest tides of the year are expected to hit over the weekend.

City leaders say the Coast’s beaches are in good condition to withstand the pounding waves, with dredging works have added an extra three million cubic metres to the shoreline.

However they are not taking any chances and yesterday announced steps to minimise long-term damage.

Work continues on the boulder wall at Surfers Paradise in preparation for the giant swell expected from the cyclone off the coast. Picture Glenn Hampson

Work to shore up the vulnerable stretch of beach at Narrowneck will be fast-tracked to protect it from the largest swells, expected to peak on Thursday or Friday.

Mayor Tom Tate said he was concerned but would accelerate the works to create the best possible protection.

“We will place some sand at the ocean side of these to keep the swells away,” Cr Tate said.

“The construction sites are being prepared now to combat any swell. There is no concern regarding the integrity of the seawall.

“We expect the ocean sweep to peak around Thursday or Friday.”

Heavy plant and beach maintenance crews will be put on standby at the council’s depots and a stockpile of sand at The Spit will be used to shore up the beaches if needed.

Council plans to deal with minor erosion on a daily basis as needed.

“I believe we are well prepared as this swell comes in,” Cr Tate said.

“I looked at the radar this morning and if it keeps moving towards us it will be bullseye.

“To swimmers out there please check with lifeguards where the rips are and if the beach is closed, please don’t swim there.”

Sam Mitchell from the Rainbow Beach Tourist Information Centre said the driver who lost his vehicle this morning should not have been on the beach.

“He shouldn’t be trying to get around the rocks just before high tide,” he said.

Mr Mitchell said with the swell expected to pick up tonight conditions along the beach would only worsen.

“I’ve had reports that the dunes are eroding already,” he said.

After tomorrow’s 2.31m peak, morning high tides would remain at 2.25m at 9.26am Thursday and 2.13m at 10.10am Friday.

Night time lows would be 0.26m at 1.24am tomorrow and 0.37mm at 2.21am Thursday.