Double chaos for Straddie couple as twins arrive before cyclone

As South East Queensland braces for Cyclone Alfred, a North Stradbroke Island couple has welcomed twins who made a thrilling entrance overnight.

Coastal erosion on Main Beach at North Stradbroke Island. Picture: Contributed

Premier David Crisafulli called it “a little moment of magic” amid the chaos, as a set of twins was born on North Stradbroke Island overnight, just as Cyclone Alfred started to unleashed its fury.

As the cyclone whipped up wild winds and crashing waves, the Straddie couple was facing their own storm in Dunwich with the imminent arrival of two new lives.

While the island braced for destruction, the tiny forces of nature made a dramatic entrance, proving that not all cyclones come with just wind and rain — some arrive with tiny lungs and loud cries.

But thanks to emergency planning by the premier and Health Minister Tim Nicholls, two midwives were stationed on the island on Wednesday in anticipation of the bid event.

Wild seas were whipped up on the coast of North Stradbroke Island. Picture: Contributed

Their presence was to ensure the babies could be delivered safely without having to be evacuated to the mainland after the Brisbane Regional Harbour Master issued a direction barring all vessels to operate in Brisbane waters and with all transport to the mainland cut off.

Bowman MP Amanda Stoker praised the efforts that made the birth possible.

As for the finer details of the newborns, the family has opted to keep things private for now. “I think they just want to enjoy a quiet moment before the real storm — parenthood — begins,” Ms Stoker said.

“There’s been good co-ordination between all levels of government to make sure that essential services are there on the island for those who made the decision to stay.

“I believe we’ve got a boy and a girl, but the couple want to remain anonymous.

“Thanks to the Premier, Queensland Health, and our local disaster planning group, the midwifery support was in place before the storm hit.

“Turns out that preparation was a masterstroke.”

Main Beach at North Stradbroke Island. Picture: Contributed

Meanwhile, Cyclone Alfred has left its mark on Straddie, with Main Beach suffering major erosion and trees scattered across the island.

“There is a lot of beach erosion along the eastern side of Straddie but given the force of things so far, the island has fared not too badly,” Ms Stoker said.

Trees were down on Bimba St and Samarinda Way on Friday morning.