Southern Moreton Bay people, take up the brace position!

The spinoff of Cyclone Oswald is coming in fast over the next 24 hours for the people of the Bay.  What has been visited on Bundaberg and Gympie is about to hit us.
For the latest information bulletins the best place to go seems to be the Council's website.   Here is a sample of the emergency alerts on the site.  It seems that Emergency Management Queensland has learnt the value of the internet during the Brisbane Floods of 2011:

Severe weather update: 8.40pm Sunday 27 January 2013  

The Victoria Point Pontoon has been returned to its original position and secured. A Council crew will check on the pontoon again when it is daylight.

Council is aware of fallen trees in a number of locations across the Redlands. In many cases, Council crew have marked the trees and will remove them when it is safe to do so. We ask residents not to try and remove any fallen trees themselves. Please stay indoors in these dangerous weather conditions.

Sands bags are available at the Redland City Council depot at South Street, Cleveland. They are no longer available from the Redlands SES headquarters.

Severe weather update: 6.40pm Sunday 27 January 2013

Power outages, blocked railway line, sandbags in Redlands

Damaging winds and rainfall are expected to intensify this evening in the Redlands.

More than 2600 Redland households are experiencing power outages including more than 2400 on the Southern Moreton Bay islands of Macleay, Russell and Karragarra.

Energex advised a total of 2626 households in the Redlands were without power as at 5.45pm. Areas included the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, Mount Cotton, Sheldon, Thorneside and Thornlands.

If you are not in one of these areas and are experiencing power loss, contact Energex on 13 62 62. Check the Energex website to see if your area is already reported.

 I would be amiss if I didn't mention the usual advice from Emergency Management Queensland:

• Move your car under cover or away from trees. 
• Secure loose outdoor items. 
• Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees. 
• Beware of fallen trees and powerlines. 
• Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters. 
• Keep clear of creeks and storm drains. 
• Surf Life Saving Australia recommends that you stay out of the water and stay well away from surf-exposed areas. 
• Check your property regularly for erosion or inundation by sea water, and if necessary raise goods and electrical items. 
• For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.