Well above highest tides: low-lying Gold Coasters warned to prepare for flooding

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is warning Gold Coasters to brace for a rare ‘king tide’ combined with Cyclone Alfred stirring up huge surf - and is opening sandbagging stations early.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred has officially formed into a category three monster. Picture: Weatherzone

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is warning Gold Coasters a rare ‘king tide’ combined with Cyclone Alfred may raise sea levels well above normal high tides.

The City Council is opening sandbagging stations Coast-wide to help residents deal with potential flash flooding.

City of Gold Coast local disaster co-ordinator Mark Ryan warned residents east of the M1 and adjacent to waterways to prepare.

“That’s the highest tide of the year through tomorrow (Saturday) morning. We’re encouraging people in those low-lying areas, particularly adjacent to waterways, to get prepared now with sandbags.”

Acting Mayor Donna Gates said sandbagging stations at Burleigh, Belinga and Pimpama are opening from 8am to 1pm tomorrow and “it’s suggested anyone with concerns should get their sandbags ready”.

“There is the potential for coastal erosion and flash flooding, so we just want residents to be prepared. Our disaster management unit is prepared and we have the best people working in that area.

“We don’t want there to be a rush on sandbags over the weekend, so it’s opening at one o’clock [Friday] at those three locations.”

Acting Mayor Donna Gates gave a press conference on Friday warning of Cyclone Alfred's possible impact. Picture, John Gass

Councillor Gates said there was a “strong chance” beaches would close during dangerous conditions but added lifeguards will monitor daily if not hourly to make sure closures were well warned.

Despite Saturday being the most at risk day for flooding, Mr Ryan alerted to the possibility of strong winds continuing early next week .

“[Saturday] is the day certainly for inundation but as we head into next week, there’s potential for gale force wins late into Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, and that’s based on the current forecast.”

Board riders were being crunched in the big swell at Mooloolaba late Thursday afternoon as Tropical Cyclone Alfred hovered off the Qld coastline. Photo: Mark Furler

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is set to impact South East Queensland in coming days regardless of whether it makes landfall or not.

The BOM’s Friday update said “on Saturday [Alfred] may take a turn to the south southwest towards the Queensland coast before tracking away from the coast during Sunday”.

“There is increasing confidence that Alfred will stay offshore. However, Alfred is likely to be slow moving into next week with some ongoing uncertainty as to how close to the southern Queensland coast it may come.

“Regardless of the track Alfred takes, severe coastal hazards are likely for southern Queensland and northeast New South Wales.”

Originally published as Well above highest tides: low-lying Gold Coasters warned to prepare for flooding