KEY POINTS
8:50PM Update:- Severe Weather Warning updated at 6:05pm, heavy rain no longer threat.
- Possibility of damaging winds, and dangerous surf remains
- Wind forecast no longer predicting near-gale strength winds
- Locally damaging wind gusts to 90km/hr still possible about the elevated ground of the southern border ranges this evening and at times on Sunday. Locations which may be affected include Springbrook.
- Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to persist about the Gold Coast beaches into Sunday, and may become dangerous once again by late Sunday as the low deepens.
1:30PM Update:
- Severe Weather Warning updated at 1:22pm, destructive winds and abnormally high tides no longer threat.
- The remnants of ex-TC Marcia continues to move off the SEQ coast over North Stradbroke Island in a South-Easterly direction
- Heaviest rain band has gone out to sea, bypassing most of Gold Coast.
1:10PM Update:
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning cancelled at 1:04pm, however Severe Weather Warning remains current.
12:30PM Update:
- Severe Storm warning issued at 11:53am for destructive winds and heavy rain at Jacobs Well, South Stradbroke Island and waters by 12:50pm
10:30am:
- Marcia downgraded to tropical low at 1:55am
- Gold Coast to expect the heaviest rain today between 10am to 4pm, contracting off the coast by late afternoon
- Totals of up to 100-150mm expected across the Gold Coast, up to 250mm in the hinterland.
- Locally damaging to destructive wind gusts are possible within the approaching rain band.
- A waterspout was also observed in this band of heavy rainfall near Mooloolabah, which reportedly moved over land and caused some damage to buildings in the area.
- Gold Coast to expect the strongest winds tonight around 10pm through to midnight
- Seven Gold Coast SES crews are working today, attending 28 outstanding jobs received yesterday.
- Beaches are holding up well, minor sand scarping at Kirra
- City of Gold Coast Local Disaster Management Group will remain activated to monitor predicted heavy rainfall
Original Post:
Whilst Marcia was downgraded to a tropical low early this morning (1:55am), she still poses a real threat with severe weather conditions of destructive winds, heavy rainfall, abnormally high tides and dangerous surf.
At 10:00am, ex-tropical cyclone Marcia was located to the southwest of Gympie and moving in a southeastwards direction. A band of heavy rainfall, which may lead to flash flooding, with damaging to potentially destructive winds was situated across Bribie Island and far southern parts of the Sunshine Coast and adjacent hinterland areas.
In the 2 hours to 10:00am, 127mm of rainfall has been recorded at Elimbah (near Caboolture). A waterspout was also observed in this band of heavy rainfall near Mooloolabah, which reportedly moved over land and caused some damage to buildings in the area.
Ex-tropical cyclone Marcia, and its rainfall should continue moving to the south-southeast today, producing a period of heavy rainfall lasting two to four hours over the remaining parts of the Southeast coast forecast district.
This should be followed by a rapid clearance, with the heavy rain contracting off the Gold Coast by late afternoon.
The Gold Coast should expect the strongest winds around 10pm through to midnight, which is likely to be after the heaviest rain has pass (similar to ex-TC Oswald in January 2013).
However locally damaging to destructive wind gusts are possible within the approaching rain band. Separate severe thunderstorm warnings will be issued to highlight the areas where the locally destructive winds are possible.
Little Nerang Dam is at capacity and spilling. Tallebudgera Creek Dam has been inspected this morning and is performing satisfactorily. The Loders Creek and Biggera Creek Dams should remain below spill level. The Hinze Dam level is currently sitting at 1.8 meters below the spillway and based on predicted rainfall, is unlikely to spill.
All Gold Coast beaches remain closed today. Residents are urged to stay away from the water. Debris is now washing out from Currumbin and Tallebudgera Creek.
The high tide is expected at 10am this morning, which is close to the highest of the year. The City’s beaches are holding up well. Minor sand scarping at Kirra is still evident but has not encroached any further into the dune areas. As usual, engineers will continue to monitor beaches and are prepared to respond to public safety concerns and damage.
Several roads closed yesterday have now been reopened. However, with predicted heavy rainfall today more roads may need to be closed. Information on road closures can be found at www.qldalert.com.
HEAVY RAINFALL
Three hour rainfall totals of up to 100mm were observed earlier this morning near ex-tropical cyclone Marcia, and are possible as it continues to move southwards.Ex-tropical cyclone Marcia, and its rainfall should continue moving to the south-southeast today, producing a period of heavy rainfall lasting two to four hours over the remaining parts of the Southeast coast forecast district.
This should be followed by a rapid clearance, with the heavy rain contracting off the Gold Coast by late afternoon.
%2BMorning%2BUpdate.png) |
| Forecast Rainfall Map (3 hourly) 21-22 February 2015 (as at 10:30am) |
DAMAGING TO DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS
There is still the chance of some damaging gusts of about 90 km/hr within the warning area, and some locally destructive gusts of around 125 km/hr over parts of the Southeast Coast district today.%2BMorning%2BUpdate.png) |
| Forecast Wind Map (3 hourly) 21-22 February 2015 (as at 10:30am) |
The Gold Coast should expect the strongest winds around 10pm through to midnight, which is likely to be after the heaviest rain has pass (similar to ex-TC Oswald in January 2013).
However locally damaging to destructive wind gusts are possible within the approaching rain band. Separate severe thunderstorm warnings will be issued to highlight the areas where the locally destructive winds are possible.
BEACHES, TIDES AND SURF:
Water levels on the high tide are likely to be near or to exceed the highest tide of the year in exposed coastal areas today between Burrum Heads and Coolangatta. Dangerous surf and beach erosion is also expected on exposed beaches today between Sandy Cape and Coolangatta. |
| Tide predictions at Gold Coast Seaway |
LDMG prepared for heavy rainfall
The City of Gold Coast Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) will remain activated to monitor predicted heavy rainfall today as a result of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Marcia. The weather system remains unpredictable and the LDMG is planning for a range of possibilities.Little Nerang Dam is at capacity and spilling. Tallebudgera Creek Dam has been inspected this morning and is performing satisfactorily. The Loders Creek and Biggera Creek Dams should remain below spill level. The Hinze Dam level is currently sitting at 1.8 meters below the spillway and based on predicted rainfall, is unlikely to spill.
All Gold Coast beaches remain closed today. Residents are urged to stay away from the water. Debris is now washing out from Currumbin and Tallebudgera Creek.
The high tide is expected at 10am this morning, which is close to the highest of the year. The City’s beaches are holding up well. Minor sand scarping at Kirra is still evident but has not encroached any further into the dune areas. As usual, engineers will continue to monitor beaches and are prepared to respond to public safety concerns and damage.
Several roads closed yesterday have now been reopened. However, with predicted heavy rainfall today more roads may need to be closed. Information on road closures can be found at www.qldalert.com.
The City’s Maintenance crews have been working to remove several fallen trees, repair potholes and unblock drains.
Seven Gold Coast SES crews are working today, attending 28 outstanding jobs received yesterday.
Residents needing information on road closures should visit qldalert.com.
Seven Gold Coast SES crews are working today, attending 28 outstanding jobs received yesterday.
BE PREPARED, NOT SCARED
- If you do need assistance, here are some essential contact numbers
- For any life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000)
- For assistance with flooding or storm emergencies, call the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500
- For emergencies such as powerlines down, call Energex on 13 19 62
- For loss of power supply, call Energex on 13 62 62
- For issues with your water or sewerage service, call City of Gold Coast on 1300 000 928
- For issues with local roads, stormwater or parks, call City of Gold Coast on 1300 465 326
- For road closure information, call 13 19 40
- For information and assistance about the event, call the City Disaster Hotline on 1800 606 000.
Residents needing information on road closures should visit qldalert.com.