Seven things to keep safe in Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley in Tropical Cyclone Alfred

As southeast Queensland’s first cyclone in half a century nears landfall, here’s how Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley residents can prepare for the weather ahead.

Darling Downs Disaster Management Officer Senior Sergeant Craig Berry (left) and Inspector Scott Stahlhut in the Darling Downs District Disaster Coordination Centre as emergency services prepare for the arrival of the weather system associated with TC Alfred, Thursday, March 6, 2025. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Residents in Gatton and the wider Lockyer Valley surrounds should be prepared for plenty of rain as Tropical Cyclone Alfred turns to a tropical low.

Despite the downgrade, authorities are still tipping plenty of rain leading to flash flooding over the weekend.

Here’s seven handy tips to stay prepared for the incoming weather this weekend.

Clean up

If you haven’t already, now is the time to clean up your home before thunderstorms, strong winds and potential flooding develop across TC Alfred’s predicted path.

Residents are advised to bring in loose furniture and possessions, including kerbside bins, that could potentially fly away in high winds, while any furniture that is unable to be moved should be tied down.

Any loose debris should be cleared away and disposed of or stored in a safe area inside your home.

Toowoomba residents should be aware all waste and dump facilities will be closed from Friday March 7.

Always assess the danger before heading outside and do not attempt to move or secure items if it is not safe to do so.

Be prepared

Emergency service officials have warned blackouts and flooding lasting multiple days may impact residents in the Darling Downs and Lockyer Valley throughout the weekend.

Make sure your home is stocked with plenty of water, food that is non-perishable and can be cooked without power and an adequate supply of all necessary medications.

If possible, park your car on higher ground, undercover and away from trees and loose branches.

Don’t forget to keep all electronics charged, including power banks, phones, and radios.

Emergency contacts

If the worst does happen, emergency service teams are equipped and ready to help.

Call triple-0 in an emergency or 132 500 for SES for assistance in floodwaters or storms.

For water and sewage faults & emergencies call Queensland Urban Utilities on 13 26 64.

To report fallen power lines call Ergon Energy on 13 16 70.

Black out safety

In the case of a black out, experts recommend unplugging all sensitive electrical appliances to protect them against potential power surges.

Make sure to turn off any electrical stoves or cookware that was in use, so when power is restored they do not heat up unattended.

Remember to keep a light switched on so you know when power has returned.

Food safety

To avoid food poisoning, food scientists recommend any food that is no longer cold to the touch (below 5C) must be eaten within four hours or thrown away.

To keep your food safer for longer, move food from the fridge to the freezer, place ice packs or insulating blankets over cold food, and only open the fridge or freezer when absolutely necessary.

Be wary of food such as deli meats and soft cheeses which are more susceptible to bacteria growth.

Keep up-to-date

There are plenty of ways to make sure you stay informed of the latest emergency alerts.

Make sure you download The Chronicle app and sign up for notifications, and stay tuned to the disaster dashboards for both the Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley councils. The Chronicle team will be on the ground over the weekend making sure you stay informed.

Hunker down

If the weather begins to turn worse as the tropical low moves across the Lockyer Valley and the Darling Downs, do not go outside to sticky beak at any potential flash flooding.

The Bureau of Meteorology is expecting up to 200mm of rain across Saturday and Sunday.

Take the opportunity to dust of your jigsaw puzzle collection, play a board game or catch up on your reading.

If the winds do get strong, stay away from windows and move to the strongest part.

Originally published as Seven things to keep safe in Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley in Tropical Cyclone Alfred