Tropical Cyclone Oma: Coast misses worst as heavy winds and big surf continue
Gold Coast beaches will be closed until at least tomorrow after Tropical Cyclone Oma intensified as a category 2 system this morning.
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GOLD Coast beaches will be closed until at least tomorrow after Tropical Cyclone Oma reintensified as a category 2 system this morning.
Oma was downgraded to a Category 1 system yesterday and a cyclone warning for the Gold Coast was cancelled as the weather event changed direction.
However the cyclone has since reintensified to a Category 2 system this morning but is expected to weaken to a low pressure system through the day.
CYCLONE OMA PREDICTED TO BRING SEVERE EROSION TO COAST BEACHES
The Gold Coast City Council’s disaster management unit will be kept on alert status in case conditions deteriorate rapidly.
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#CycloneOma is undergoing extratropical transition though will remain a strong low pressure system. Abnormally high tides, dangerous surf conditions & possible gales continue for SE QLD and far northern NSW. https://t.co/rVLE6i5J4y pic.twitter.com/86A322X8R7
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) February 22, 2019
City leaders still say the conditions are dangerous, not just on the beach but in the Hinterland where authorities have warned of an increased fire threat.
The city’s beaches are expected to be lashed by winds of up to 90km/h and waves of up to eight metres.
This is down from yesterday when waves of up to 13m were recorded in waters off the southern Gold Coast.
With conditions remaining volatile over the weekend, surfers and thrill seekers have been warned they could face criminal charges if they defy warnings and enter the water.
“If you are thinking about hitting the beach for a swim, you may want to think otherwise as it could be a criminal offence,” Queensland Surf Lifesaving services co-ordinator Nathan Fife said.
“We will ring authorities and police and if your being a public nuisance police will probably action that.
“We don’t want to risk our lifesavers’ lives and that is why we are warning the public.”
All surf events and carnivals, including nippers, have been cancelled.
Despite predictions this week of rainfall of up to 240mm across three days, the weather bureau last night said the Coast would now get about 10mm of rain today and tomorrow.
Bureau meteorologist Joel Pippard said surf conditions would be “quite dangerous” today and tomorrow
“There is a chance of some showers but it’s unlikely to be heavy,” he said.
“Most likely to see some light showers this morning and then maybe on Sunday evening.”
The Coast was yesterday buffeted with heavy winds but little rain.
A tree fell on to the M1 at Palm Beach causing traffic congestion while a car was damaged on Marine Parade at Coolangatta when branch from a Norfolk Pine smashed its windscreen.
Staff at Rick Shores restaurant at Burleigh spent the morning installing sandbags as part of a desperate battle against the big swell battering the coastline.
Erosion was recorded near the Seaway, Kirra and Burleigh Heads with further scarping expected to occur in coming days.
The scarping also caused one of the council’s lifeguard towers to subside late yesterday.
The Volunteer Marine Rescue urged boaties to secure their vessels during the heavy swell.
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Flooding occurred at high-tide in low-lying areas at Budds Beach and Currumbin Surf Life Saving Club.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said Oma remained unpredictable and warned there were at least 10 different paths it could take in coming days.
But he warned Hinterland residents also faced a fire danger from the heavy winds which he said made conditions dry.
‘The word for Oma is unpredictable and we are going to keep getting ongoing alerts,” he said.
“Strong winds and no rain means it is very dry up in the Hinterland so I would say this is not the time to go lawn mowing because it could create a spark and start a fire.”
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