Severe storm alert

NOOSA residents are being urged to batten down the hatches as wild weather and flash flooding are expected to strike tonight (Friday) and Saturday.
Local Disaster Coordinator Martin Drydale said residents should get ready for the worst.
“Once again, the best thing residents can do now is prepare their homes by clearing gutters and securing outdoor furniture and anything else that could blow away.”
Noosa’s Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) is on standby in preparation for the onslaught.
Local Disaster Coordinator Martin Drydale said the LDMG moved to ‘lean forward’ status at 2pm on Friday and will activate the Local Disaster Coordination Centre on Saturday morning.
“We’ll monitor the situation overnight and keep in regular contact with the Bureau of Meteorology and emergency services.
“We will have people in the Local Disaster Coordination Centre from 8am tomorrow in order to ensure we are able to respond to any requests for assistance from the community,” he said.
Mr Drydale urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel during the possible falls of up to 250mm.
“With possible heavy rain coinciding with king tides this weekend there is potential for flooding.
“Sandbags are available locally from the State Emergency Service (SES) by calling 13 25 00,” Mr Drydale said.
“The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a flood watch for areas between Fraser Island and the New South Wales border with a strong upper trough set to cross the region tonight and tomorrow.”
A severe weather warning for heavy rain, abnormally high tides and dangerous surf remains current.
“If you must travel, avoid driving through floodwaters and remember – if it’s flooded, forget it,” Mr Drydale said.
For road closures check the council’s website at www.noosa.qld.gov.au or visit www.13 1940.qld.gov.au.
Listen to local radio for updates and check the Bureau of Meteorology website at www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/ for weather warnings.
In the event of an emergency situation the Noosa Local Disaster Coordination Centre will provide updates via Noosa Council’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/noosacouncil.
The number for the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) is 132 500.
In a life-threatening emergency residents should call triple zero.