Logan opens evacuation centre but Redland holds off despite islands and low-lying flooding

A Russell Island man, stranded at a ferry terminal after missing the last boat on Wednesday has been “rescued” by local emergency water services. WATCH THE VIDEO

Traffic lines up outside the tip at Redland Bay on Wednesday morning as dozens dump rubbish from gardens ahead of the cyclone crossing the coast. PICTURES: JUDITH KERR

Residents of the coastal community of Redland Bay, which is the main port for the four southern bay islands and in the flooding zone from the cyclone, have been told there will be no local evacuation centres until after the cyclone hits land about 4pm on Friday.

Redland Mayor Jos Mitchell urged residents to finalise preparations as the cyclone approaches, reiterating that those at risk should seek shelter with family, friends, or in designated places of refuge if necessary.

The mayor highlighted that while some residents may feel unsafe in their homes, the city’s official evacuation centres would not open until after the cyclone due to staffing resourcing constraints and safety concerns.

A Russell Island man, stranded at the Weinam Creek ferry terminal after missing the last boat on Wednesday has been “rescued” by local emergency water services.

Joshua Doyle,38, was expecting to bunker down for three days at the ticket office at the Weinam Creek ferry terminal as there are no evacuation centres in Redland.

However, Redland MP Rebecca Young heard of his plight and asked the Coast Guard to help.

Although the Coast Guard was not involved, Mr Doyle was expected to be transported back to the island by local emergency services.

“He cannot stay at the local ferry terminal and we have organised some service to get him home,” Ms Young said.

A Redland Bay Coast Guard refused to divulge how Mr Doyle would be transported home and refused to reveal whether staff had been called to the islands twice already since last night.

Mr Foyle slammed the city’s lack of evacuation centres after he was stranded overnight at the local ferry terminal.

He slept at the terminal ticket office on Wednesday night after finding out too late that the last ferry had left.

Russell Island resident Joshua Doyle.

Mr Doyle, who was desperate to return to his elderly father on the island, said it was a disgrace that the local Redland City Council had not planned for those who missed the last ferry.

“I’ll just have sit it out here - that could be at least another three days and all I have is a sleeping bag,” he said.

“The council could have easily opened up the community hall down the road which is never open to the public.

“Living on the bay islands is different to living on the mainland because there is no other option but to stay here and wait for the ferry.

“For too long, Island residents have been neglected by this council.”

Logan mayor Jon Raven said he woke up this morning and decided to reopen sandbagging stations today. Picture: Facebook

LOGAN

Despite the lack of evacuation centres in Redland, Logan has opened a 24-hour evacuation centre at Crestmead and will reopen sandbagging stations later today.

Logan Mayor Jon Raven said an evacuation centre would be open at the Logan Metro Sports Centre at 357 Browns Plains Rd.

“That’ll be open 24/7 for as long as people need it. There are beds available for those who require shelter, and everybody is welcome,” Mr Raven said.

In addition to the evacuation centre, Logan will re-open two places of refuge, providing essential services to those in need.

“They don’t have bedding, but they’re open 24/7,” he explained. “They have tea, coffee, someone to talk to, a place to charge your phone. You just can’t sleep there, that’s all.”

■ The places of refuge in Logan are located at Jimboomba’s Caddies Community Centre, 19-33 South Street,

■ Jimboomba Bethania Community Centre, 88-118 Station Rd, Bethania the Jimboomba and Community Centre and Caddies Swamp.

Mr Raven also mentioned that more places of refuge may be opened, depending on volunteer availability.

With flooding risks increasing, Mr Raven addressed the urgent need for sandbagging services.

“I woke up at about 5am, saw the forecast, and said, ‘Let’s stand up our sandbagging station,’” he said.

“We had shut everything down yesterday because we were expecting high winds, so now there’s a process to get them up and running again.

“We’re also co-ordinating with contractors to deliver sandbags to our self-serve sites.”

The Logan mayor assured residents that updates would be provided as soon as details were confirmed.

“We know how important it is to get people supported with sandbags and access to the landfill.”

Mr Raven also addressed concerns about kerbside collection delays, particularly in areas like Yarrabilba, where storm preparations have led to increased waste disposal.

“If you’ve got kerbside collection on your footpath still, please take it back in,” he urged.

“If, for whatever reason, you’re unable to because it’s a large load, contact council at 3412 3412, and we’ll see if we can get someone out there — either volunteers to help move it or someone to pick it up.”

REDLAND

Redland Mayor Jos Mitchell said her city decided to “mirror” Brisbane City Council’s approach on not opening evacuation centres until after the story, citing safety of staff as a major concern.

“The facilities available in the Redlands, particularly our community halls, are not ideal for use as evacuation centres during the event itself,” she said.

“Instead, we are offering places of refuge for those who have no other options.

“Our council has been working with emergency services to ensure that residents are informed and prepared.

“We have had Queensland Police Service officers doorknocking in vulnerable areas to provide information and encourage precautions.”

Redlands coastal areas and islands have been issued with an emergency alert to take immediate effect with police patrols taking to the streets issuing direct warnings to residents.

Mayor Mitchell was only able to reveal locations of “refuge” centres on the southern bay islands and a centre in Cleveland and not the locations of any evacuation centres.

The Redland mayor confirmed six locations would serve as places of refuge – but would not be evacuation centres, for those on the bay islands.

Police officers door knocking in Redland Bay tell residents that there is a huge flood and wind risk but that there is no mainland evacuation centre on the mainland at Redland Bay. Picture: JUDITH KERR"

However, when pressed on evacuation centre locations on Wednesday, Cr Mitchell admitted that locations were still being finalised.

“We do have a list of evacuation centres, and they will be open post-event,” she said.

“But like many other local government areas, our places of refuge — which provide safe haven during the event — are still being determined.”

The admission sparked frustration among residents, particularly those in Redland Bay, where police officers told residents flood and wind risks were high.

“We’re being told to bunker down, but for those of us who may have to flee rising waters, there’s nowhere to go,” said Sharon Thomson.

“How can the main gateway to the islands — one of the most vulnerable spots — not have an evacuation centre?”

Police knocked on more than 1700 doors across Redland today including suburbs of Thorneside, Wellington Point, Victoria Point, Cleveland, and Redland Bay.

Acting Inspector Michael Morier, who co-ordinated the doorknocking, said his team was working well with the Redland council.

“Together, we’ve identified homes in low-lying areas that are vulnerable to flooding and storm surges,” Inspector Morier said.

“We want residents to be prepared, not alarmed. The message is to plan for the worst and hope for the best.”

Police urged residents to create a cyclone safety plan, know where they would seek shelter, and stay informed through disaster dashboards and official emergency updates.

Authorities have already conducted a precautionary evacuation of a North Stradbroke Island aged care facility, relocating 10 residents to safer locations.

For the rest of the community, officials are urging people to stay put unless absolutely necessary and to keep up to date with emergency broadcasts.

With the Bureau of Meteorology predicting Cyclone Alfred’s coastal crossing around 4:00 PM tomorrow, Redland City Council has also suspended sandbag distribution, aligning with other councils in the region.

“Our sandbag stations closed at 8pm last night for safety reasons, given the increasing winds,” Mayor Mitchell stated. “If residents require assistance, they should contact Council’s call centre.”

Residents can reach Redland City Council at [phone] for further information and support during the cyclone emergency.

■ On North Stradbroke Island, residents can seek shelter at Dunwich Community Hall, at 6 Ballow Rd.

■ On Macleay Island, residents can go to the Macleay Island Community Hall at the corner of Southsea Tce and High Central Rd.

■ On Russell Island, BIMSARA Hall at 2 Union St has been designated as a refuge.

■ Lamb Island residents can take shelter at Pioneer Hall, at 125 Lucas Dr.

■ Those on Coochiemudlo Island can head to the Coochiemudlo Recreation Club at 41b Elizabeth St.

■ Additionally, in Cleveland, the Cleveland Assembly Hall at 46 Smith St, within Cleveland District State High School, will be available for those in need of refuge.

Cr Mitchell said her message was “to stay calm and do everything you can now to make sure you are as safe as possible in your home”.

“QPS have been fantastic, providing advice and assistance to those in high-risk areas.”

A large concrete block is used to anchor two large 50ft catamarans at the Redland City Marina at Thornlands. Picture: Judith Kerr"

Yachties at the Redland Marina at Thornlands tied down large boats to big concrete blocks as the winds started to hit boats on moorings at Redland Bay.

HOSPITALS

Hospitals south of Brisbane, including those in Logan and Redlands, will remain open around the clock to provide continuous care during the severe weather event. However, the newly opened Redlands Satellite Health Centre at Redland Bay will close from 12pm on Thursday, March 6, and remain closed all day on Friday, March 7. Other services, such as the Wynnum-Manly Primary Care Clinic – Gundu Pa, will also close tomorrow, and clinics at Mt Gravatt, Inala, and Logan will temporarily shut their doors. Several community health centres across the southside will modify their hours or close entirely due to the approaching cyclone.

Despite the closures, health workers are committed to keeping both Redlands and Logan hospitals open to ensure that critical services remain accessible. Tolls on the Logan Motorway are expected to be lifted to guarantee free and full access to Logan Hospital during the weather event.

Redland’s satellite hospital will close during the cyclone.

In response to the severe conditions, non-urgent surgeries and outpatient appointments scheduled for Thursday and Friday will be rescheduled. Affected patients will be contacted directly. If weather conditions prevent a patient from attending their scheduled appointment, they are encouraged to contact the hospital to rearrange a new time.

For non-life-threatening conditions, the Virtual Emergency Care Service is available, offering virtual consultations with specialist clinicians. This service, typically operating from 8am to 10pm daily, will extend its hours to 24 hours, beginning Thursday, March 6, at 8am and running through to Tuesday, March 11, at 10pm.

Residents can also call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for health advice at any time during the event. Authorities urge everyone to stay safe and prepared as the severe weather event approaches.

EARLIER

Redland City Council issued an emergency alert warning on Wednesday morning telling residents that a powerful storm surge was expected and could impact the region from Thursday, March 6.

However, police said there was still has no evacuation centre for Redland Bay residents.

Redland Bay police Acting sergeant Ben Clinch, pictured, along with a team of more than 20 officers visited coastal properties of Redland Bay this morning, taking residents’ phone numbers and doing headcounts.

The mainland patrols followed police visits to bay island residents yesterday.

“You don’t need to evacuate at this stage that’s up to the residents but there is no organised place to go,” Acting Sgt Clinch said.

“If you did want to leave, I suggest you work out where you would go now and how you would get there.

“The primary thing we wanted to tell people about is the risk of storm surge and flooding.”

With the cyclone gathering strength, authorities are sounding the alarm, urging locals to warn their neighbours, secure loose belongings, and seek safe shelter before it’s too late.

Meteorologists predict the storm tide will bring potentially catastrophic flooding to low-lying areas along the Redland coast, with powerful winds and surging waves capable of swamping coastal homes and businesses.

Emergency services are on high alert, bracing for potential rescues and widespread destruction.

Police stressed that delays could be deadly.

LOGAN

Logan council crews have already distributed more than 450 tonnes of sand, with local landscaping businesses donating additional supplies.

Sandbags remain available at self-service stations in Logan Metro, Browns Plains Road, and South Street in Beenleigh.

The Waterford Bridge will be an indicator of imminent flooding. PICTURE: JUDITH KERR

“We’re extending sandbag distribution hours so that people working during the day can still collect supplies in the evening,” Mr Raven said on Wednesday.

“Many residents just need 10 or 15 sandbags to protect their garage doors from overland flow.”

Evacuation centres will be opened if homes are damaged by wind or floodwaters, though final locations will be announced closer to the cyclone’s arrival, he said.

Authorities have urged residents in flood-prone areas to prepare an emergency kit containing two to three days’ worth of non-perishable food.

For expectant mothers worried about accessing Logan Hospital, Mayor Raven reassured residents that major roads, including the Logan Motorway, would remain passable. “Transurban will likely turn off tolling on the Logan Motorway during the event,” he added. However, roads such as Waterford Bridge and Kingston Road could become cut off in severe flooding.

IN REDLAND

The Straddie Flyer also told Straddie commuters that its last ferry service would be leaving Cleveland at 11.30am and Dunwich at 12pm on Wednesday.

For life-threatening emergencies, residents must immediately call triple-0 (000). Those needing assistance with non-life-threatening situations, such as damaged roofs or fallen trees, should contact the SES at 132 500.

Originally published as Logan opens evacuation centre but Redland holds off despite islands and low-lying flooding