Storm force on Moreton Bay

BITS ferry A.L.Robb storms through through the white out on Sunday

Yacht washed up on Karragarra shoreline

I don't want to sound panicky but it ain't a good day out on the water: visibility is poor, the water very choppy and the wind is blowing the rain horizontal.  The Bureau of Meteorology updated its warnings for Moreton Bay at 3:25 pm:

Storm Force Wind Warning

Double Island Point to Point Danger, including Moreton Bay

E to NE winds 40 to 45 knots, reaching 45 to 50 knots during Sunday. Scattered squalls to 75 knots.

Seas 4 to 5 metres, reaching 6.5 metres south of Noosa. E to NE swells 4 metres, increasing to 5 metres on Monday. Waves and swell breaking dangerously inshore.

At least three boats have been torn from their moorings around the islands.  The ferries and the barges are still running--but for how much longer? Only one of the BITS ferries is still going but if conditions continues will probably stop before dark closes in.

Branch across road on Karragarra Island

On land it ain't all that good either.  Branches are down during the afternoon power was lost on Macleay and Russell. The SupaIGA supermarket on Russell is closed to preserve the frozen food.
The Redland City Council has just issued this update:

Evacuation of campers at Flinders Beach and Main Beach, North Stradbroke Island, is under way due to strong winds and high rainfall and the island’s ferry services have been cancelled.

Karen Williams

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Redland City Council had established an evacuation centre at Pt Lookout Community Hall.

“Council is assisting Straddie Camping with the evacuations of 62 campers – 50 from Flinders Beach and 12 from Main Beach,” Cr Williams said. 

“Many will stay at council’s evacuation centre at Pt Lookout community Hall, while others are seeking accommodation through real estate agents.

“Red Cross personnel are also making their way to the evacuation centre to offer assistance.

“We were concerned about falling trees and the effects of high rainfalls in the Flinders Beach and Main Beach camping areas.

“Council has been advised all barges and ferries to and from North Stradbroke Island have currently been cancelled for the remainder of the day.

“Similarly, Council has been advised that the last vehicle ferry service at 4.45pm from Redland Bay to the Southern Moreton Bay Islands of Karragarra, Macleay, Russell and Lamb islands would be cancelled, as would the barge’s 6pm return trip from Russell Island to Redland Bay.”

Local Disaster Management Group activated

Cr Williams said the Redland Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) had this morning been activated and was coordinating responses across the city.

“Residents should be prepared for severe weather conditions, including wind speeds up to 125km/hour and 200mm-300mm of rain in a few hours,” she said.

“The advice is that the system is moving faster than it has been previously – this means the period of rainfall we experience in the Redlands may be less, but it will be a time of intense rainfall, potentially up to 200mm to 300mm.

“There has been a lot of damage in the north from mini tornado conditions and I want all Redland residents to be prepared and stay safe. 

“People need to stay away from the water’s edge, from drains and fallen powerlines. Please do not sight-see at the water’s edge.”

Council’s Operations Centre is open and can be contacted on 3829 8752 for emergencies relating to the flooding of roads and fallen tree limbs.