Gold Coast weather: Fears city will be hammered by wet weather

Gold Coasters have been warned to brace for wild storms and flooding for the third time this year, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting an early tropical cyclone this wet season.

GOLD Coasters have been warned to brace for wild storms and flooding for the third time this year, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting an early tropical cyclone this wet season.

Mayor Tom Tate, flanked by Disaster Management staff and emergency service personnel, launched the annual ‘Get Ready’ campaign in Surfers Paradise on Monday, urging locals to get their homes, plans, and emergency kits in order.

The Gold Coast was inundated with heavy rains and flooding in late February and early March, as well as late May on the weekend of the federal election.

While Lismore and the Northern Rivers bore the brunt of the devastating downpour, the city’s low-lying southern suburbs and Hinterland all experienced flooding.

Storm clouds roll through Surfers Paradise late Sunday afternoon. Picture Glenn Hampson

“We’ve got to prepare ourselves,” Mr Tate said.

“Each one of us has unique ways of preparing. So look at what you need to do, first up, for your house, your family, your kids, your pets, your important documents.”

“All these things can be found on the council website.”

Locals can opt-in to receiving updates via SMS text messages, relevant to their particular area, via the website.

“I think the recent flooding, we should take that as a warning for our city. And to know that there’s more coming,” Mr Tate continued.

“Stronger storms will be here and it’s not whether (or) if it will be here, but when.”

To prepare, Mr Tate said council had been working “diligently” to upgrade and clear stormwater drainage, had moved machinery to beaches to speed up erosion repairs, and were ready to “fix those potholes as soon as it’s troublesome”.

Mayor Tom Tate together with Police chief Superintendent Craig Hanlan and Fire Inspector Robert Bloss launches the annual Get Ready campaign in Surfers Paradise urging locals to prepare for the storm season. Picture Glenn Hampson

“We’ve got more contractors, we’ve already got material in store, so that the 2500 potholes that occurred last time – we want to fix that faster and sooner, and (will be) making sure it lasts longer,” he said.

“We haven’t stopped since the last storm.”

The weather bureau has predicted an increased risk of an above average number of tropical cyclones and tropical lows, and of widespread flooding in its severe weather long-range forecast.

Looking from November to April, the bureau predicts Australia has a greater than 70 per cent chance of at least 11 tropical cyclones this wet season.

Flooding and road closures on the Gold Coast. Clagiraba Road, Clagiraba earlier this year. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

With the recurring La Nina system still looming large overhead, the severe and wet weather is expected to continue – including an increased risk of prolonged heatwaves in southern areas with high humidity.

Gold Coast Police District chief superintendent Craig Hanlon said it was a priority to get people through these events unscathed.

“We want people to get through these anticipated events and we want to make sure that no one loses their lives through silly mistakes like driving through flooded roads.”

Earlier Monday morning, Mr Tate said council was looking at using drone technology and mobile cameras to improve on flood modelling – giving the disaster management centre live footage of flood levels, road closures, and any wrongdoers (such as those moving road barriers).

For more details, advice on preparing, or to opt-in to SMS updates, go to the council’s website: cityofgoldcoast.com.au/getready.

Originally published as Gold Coast weather: Fears city will be hammered by wet weather