By Abbey Cannan
A Tropical Cyclone Watch is now in place covering the coast from Bundaberg in Queensland to Ballina in northern New South Wales.
The Noosa region is already feeling the effects of Cyclone Oma with extreme high tides pushing water onto roads and the Noosa Main Beach being closed today.
The 11am track map issued by the Bureau of Meteorology shows the system moving closer to Queensland and into the Bureau’s area of responsibility.
Queensland State Manager Bruce Gunn said the effects of Cyclone Oma are already being felt along the Queensland coast with warnings in place for higher than normal tides and dangerous surf conditions causing coastal erosion for exposed beaches.
“Surf and swell conditions will be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, and swimming and many beaches are already closed for public safety,” he said.
Seas and swell are also expected to increase well ahead of the approach of Cyclone Oma, and these conditions present a danger for even the most experienced swimmers and surfers—so it’s safest to stay out of the water.
“Forecast certainty is shaping up to see the most likely scenario that Cyclone Oma will approach the coast this weekend, and a coastal crossing cannot be ruled out at this stage,” said Mr Gunn.
“Gale force winds are possible for exposed coastal beaches, combined with heavy rainfall. The Bureau has issued a Flood Watch from Gladstone to the New South Wales border. Forecast rainfall totals are largely dependent on the cyclone track, and there still are a wide range of scenarios at this point,” he said.
The Noosa Council’s Disaster Dashboard on Cyclone Oma said, “There’s lots of conversation at the moment about the weather situation over the next week. Although there is some uncertainty around the likely direction of tropical cyclone Oma, the Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for parts of Wide Bay and Burnett and Southeast Coast Forecast Districts as well as a Hazardous Surf Warning.”
For more information on how to prepare for the possibility of severe weather, go to www.noosa.qld.gov.au/getting-ready.
