We are being urged to prepare for Tropical Cyclone Alfred as it is expected to turn towards the South-East later today.
The once in a fifty year cyclone has been predicted to cross the coast between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane late Thursday or Friday morning.
The Weather Bureau says that the category 2 storm may bring intense rainfall and flash flooding to Ipswich and the South-East.
The impending storm has prompted Ipswich City Council, the RSPCA, Moggill Ferry and Hudsons Circus to put actions in place before the wild weather sets in.
IPSWICH CITY COUNCIL – SANDBAGS
Ipswich City Council will open their depots today offering residents sandbags to prepare for T.C Alfred.
The Raceview Council Depot on Briggs Road and the Rosewood Council Depot on Mills Street will begin sandbagging from 7am this morning.
Domestic quantities of green waste can also be dropped off for free from now until Friday at the Riverview and Rosewood Resource Recovery Centres.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding is urging locals to clean up their backyards in preparation for the cyclone.
“We are encouraging people to go out into their gardens and yards and prepare.
“If you can gather it up and put it in the car or trailer and take it away. There will be less things that will be blowing around when this happens,” she said.
Residents, who have received blue bags for council’s on-demand kerbside service, are asked to refrain from putting them out this week.
The most up to date weather and disaster information can be found by clicking the disaster dashboard at the following link: https://disaster.ipswich.qld.gov.au/
RSPCA QUEENSLAND – PET DISASTER PLAN
RSPCA Queensland is reminding pet owners to have an emergency plan for their animals and to prepare a pet emergency kit in severe weather events.
It’s important to act early and include your animals in your emergency plans so they aren’t caught out and in need of rescue.
“If you have livestock and are in a flood-prone area, move them to higher ground or relocate them to a safe property,” says RSPCA Queensland spokesperson Emma Lagoon.
Plan for your pets
- Now is the time to have a Pet Emergency Action Plan https://www.rspcaqld.org.au/what-we-do/disasters-and-alerts/disaster-action-plan.
- Create a safe and secure space for all your animals. Some animals that suffer from storm phobias may also spook easily from the wind.
- Move livestock and horses to higher ground or a safe property.
- Don’t tether pets outside if possible – they may do themselves more harm trying to break free.
- Provide plenty of access to water and food in heavy bowls if outdoors.
- Keep cats indoors.
- Ensure objects in your yard are tied down.
Create a Pet Emergency Kit
- Prepare your pets by ensuring you have enough food, water, medication, identification, bedding, toys, carriers and leads on hand and cleaning supplies available.
MOGGILL FERRY
Moggill Ferry services have now been suspended due to the cyclone.
The ferry shut down from its last service at 6:20pm last night.
The ferry will remain closed until further details.
HUDSON’S CIRCUS
The circus has been forced to bring the big top down at Springfield due to the cyclone.
All performances will be postponed this week.
It’s understood the circus is in the process of contacting all customers who have already purchased tickets.
For enquiries please call 0458 HUDSON (0458 483 766) during Box Office Hours.
For the latest on Tropical Cyclone Alfred visit BOM’S warning page http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/
