Warnings to stay clear of dangerous beaches in Cyclone Oma aftermath

Nearly all southeast Queensland beaches are closed as Cyclone Oma’s sting continues to lash the coastline, with a severe weather warning in place.

Monstrous swell is lashing the Queensland coastline, with brave surfers tackling the waves as businesses sandbag their properties from rising high tides.

Nearly all southeast Queensland beaches remain closed — all on the Gold Coast and most on the Sunshine Coast as dangerous conditions spark a severe weather warning for the area.

High tides and dangerous surf have sparked rescues of 27 people, including 13 surfers who attempted to battle giant sets reaching up to 10m.

Only experienced surfers are advised to venture out in the waves that some are labelling the best in decades.

Severe erosion is also posing dangers along the coastline.

Rick Shores Restaurant staff member Mario Wanagat is seen sandbagging the front of the restaurant in an attempt to protect it from the oncoming waves at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. Picture: Darren England/AAP

Giant waves smash locals trying to face the onslaught. Picture: Adam Head.

Before they got smashed. Picture: Adam Head.

BRACE FOR FLOODING

Residents in flood-affected north Queensland could be bracing for more rain with predictions ex-tropical cyclone Oma will head in their direction.

The storm was located more than 800km off Brisbane and moving slowly southeast on Saturday.

Modelling shows the system taking a northerly turn early this week before tracking northwest days later.

“It does look like it’s going to start moving north again, possibly northwest back towards the northern Queensland coast,” the Bureau of Meteorology’s Michael Knepp told AAP.

“But that’s still far away into the future.”

Floods have devastated coastal and inland areas north Queensland region in recent weeks, with 2950 homes damaged in Townsville and more than 500,000 cattle dead further west.

While Oma has been downgraded to a subtropical low, dangerous conditions at some beaches remain amid abnormally high tides and large swells.

A surfer falls from his board in big surf conditions at Noosa National Park as swell from Cyclone Oma continues to pound the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Lachie Millard

Massive sets are drawing crowds at Kirra on the Gold Coast. Picture: Darren England/AAP

Beachgoers in Queensland and northern NSW are still being warned about dangerous conditions, with the storm continuing to bring abnormally high tides, damaging winds, large swells and heavy erosion.

Yesterday, experts warned Oma had become “double the size of Debbie” — one of the most dangerous cyclones to ever form in Australia.

Bureau of Meteorology Queensland state manager Bruce Gunn said Cyclone Oma had weakened to a low pressure system but that it was forecast to reintensify to category two strength and maintain its force for some time as it sat off the state’s southeast coast.

“It’s approximately twice the diameter of Cyclone Debbie,” Mr Gunn said on Saturday.

“We will certainly continue to keep a close eye on this cyclone, until it no longer poses a threat.

#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

“The main impacts are damaging winds along the coastal fringe and big seas, well into next week

“We’re observing waves of three to four metres waves along the Sunshine, Gold and Tweed coasts with offshore waves in excess of 10 metres.

“These are expected to increase during the weekend.”

Huge swells and high tides are pummelling southeast Queensland beaches as Cyclone Oma sits off the Queensland coast. Picture: Dave Hunt/AAP

Large waves at Mooloolaba as swell from Cyclone Oma impacts the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Lachie Millard

Beaches from Tweed Heads to Port Macquarie have been closed and are expected to remain closed until early next week.

“Surf and swell conditions will continue to be extremely hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, swimming and surfing,” Mr Gunn said.

Surf Life Saving NSW chief operating officer Phil Ayres urged beachgoers to remember if the flags were down, it was not safe to swim.

Mr Ayres said the conditions were “extremely challenging” and urged surfers and swimmers not to over-estimate their ability and underestimate the power of the ocean.

— With AAP