City implements new rules as Cyclone Alfred lands on Aussie shores
- Replies 19
During times of natural disaster, safety should be everyone's utmost priority.
As the formidable Cyclone Alfred churned its way towards the coast, one city council issued a stern warning to locals.
The Gold Coast City Council warned beachgoers and surfers to stay out of the water as the storm hits the area.
Those who defy this emergency rule could face a hefty fine.
This rule is not just to clear beaches up; it is a matter of public safety during severe weather conditions.
Alfred, a category two cyclone, has been sitting 180 km off the Gold Coast and stirring up massive swells.
The Bureau of Meteorology predicted that it could keep its intensity as it makes landfall.
With such dangerous conditions, the council decided to draw a hard line against anyone considering braving the waves.
Gold Coast's acting mayor, Donna Gates, did not mince her words when she labelled several individuals' behaviour as 'reckless'.
'There has been some really foolish behaviour, and it is so important that people stay away from the beach,' acting Mayor Gates said.
Those caught performing the reckless action could be fined up to $16,100.
Social media has been abuzz with videos showing surfers and beachgoers getting far too close for comfort.
Clips have emerged of groups standing on rocks for a better view of the swells, only to be nearly swept away by the waves.
Federal MP Andrew Wallace shared footage of a 'selfish' swimmer at Kings Beach and highlighted the risks some are willing to take.
The cyclone's effects are expected to be felt in other areas, including Double Island Point in Queensland and the Northern Rivers region in NSW.
More than 28,000 homes and businesses in southeast Queensland have been left without electricity.
Energex also warned locals of the potential week-long outages due to debris on power lines and substations.
State Emergency Services (SES) in NSW's Northern Rivers and Mid-North Coast regions have already received over 6,300 requests for assistance.
At the same time, thousands of residents have already spent nights away from their homes after evacuation orders.
With millions bracing for the cyclone's impact, over a million sandbags have been distributed in Queensland so residents could fortify their homes against the expected deluge.
Dave and Charmaine Harris from Brisbane are among the many residents preparing for the worst.
After experiencing severe floods before, they have taken several precautions, such as raising belongings off the ground and securing their property with sandbags.
Despite their preparations, the forecast of 130 km/h wind gusts and heavy rain was a source of concern.
Surfers, in particular, were cautioned against ignoring beach closures.
With swells up to 8 metres expected to continue along the southern Queensland and NSW north coasts until Sunday, the temptation to catch a record-breaking wave could result in a significant financial penalty.
The rainfall may continue for days after Alfred's arrival, which raised concerns about towns being cut off.
'We cannot guarantee a boat for every house in the flood evacuation zone,' NSW Premier Chris Minns warned due to limited resources.
The impact of Cyclone Alfred has extended beyond the immediate coastline, with over 1,000 schools closed, public transport halted, elective surgeries postponed, and major airports in Brisbane and the Gold Coast shut down.
For senior community members in the area, it's crucial to heed these warnings and stay safe.
Have an emergency plan in place, keep up with the latest updates from official sources, and avoid any unnecessary risks.
Have you experienced extreme weather events like Cyclone Alfred before? What precautions do you take to stay safe? Share your stories and tips in the comments below; your experience could help others prepare for future natural disasters.
As the formidable Cyclone Alfred churned its way towards the coast, one city council issued a stern warning to locals.
The Gold Coast City Council warned beachgoers and surfers to stay out of the water as the storm hits the area.
Those who defy this emergency rule could face a hefty fine.
This rule is not just to clear beaches up; it is a matter of public safety during severe weather conditions.
Alfred, a category two cyclone, has been sitting 180 km off the Gold Coast and stirring up massive swells.
The Bureau of Meteorology predicted that it could keep its intensity as it makes landfall.
With such dangerous conditions, the council decided to draw a hard line against anyone considering braving the waves.
Gold Coast's acting mayor, Donna Gates, did not mince her words when she labelled several individuals' behaviour as 'reckless'.
'There has been some really foolish behaviour, and it is so important that people stay away from the beach,' acting Mayor Gates said.
Those caught performing the reckless action could be fined up to $16,100.
Social media has been abuzz with videos showing surfers and beachgoers getting far too close for comfort.
Clips have emerged of groups standing on rocks for a better view of the swells, only to be nearly swept away by the waves.
Federal MP Andrew Wallace shared footage of a 'selfish' swimmer at Kings Beach and highlighted the risks some are willing to take.
The cyclone's effects are expected to be felt in other areas, including Double Island Point in Queensland and the Northern Rivers region in NSW.
More than 28,000 homes and businesses in southeast Queensland have been left without electricity.
Energex also warned locals of the potential week-long outages due to debris on power lines and substations.
State Emergency Services (SES) in NSW's Northern Rivers and Mid-North Coast regions have already received over 6,300 requests for assistance.
At the same time, thousands of residents have already spent nights away from their homes after evacuation orders.
With millions bracing for the cyclone's impact, over a million sandbags have been distributed in Queensland so residents could fortify their homes against the expected deluge.
Dave and Charmaine Harris from Brisbane are among the many residents preparing for the worst.
After experiencing severe floods before, they have taken several precautions, such as raising belongings off the ground and securing their property with sandbags.
Despite their preparations, the forecast of 130 km/h wind gusts and heavy rain was a source of concern.
Surfers, in particular, were cautioned against ignoring beach closures.
With swells up to 8 metres expected to continue along the southern Queensland and NSW north coasts until Sunday, the temptation to catch a record-breaking wave could result in a significant financial penalty.
The rainfall may continue for days after Alfred's arrival, which raised concerns about towns being cut off.
'We cannot guarantee a boat for every house in the flood evacuation zone,' NSW Premier Chris Minns warned due to limited resources.
The impact of Cyclone Alfred has extended beyond the immediate coastline, with over 1,000 schools closed, public transport halted, elective surgeries postponed, and major airports in Brisbane and the Gold Coast shut down.
For senior community members in the area, it's crucial to heed these warnings and stay safe.
Have an emergency plan in place, keep up with the latest updates from official sources, and avoid any unnecessary risks.
.png){kind=icon}
