SEVERE WEATHER UPDATE 29 March

Severe Weather KEY MESSAGES – as at 5:30am

Weather update

• The Gold Coast has experienced significant rainfall Monday and overnight with 200-350mm around the city since 9am yesterday morning.
• Conditions appear to be easing however the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast up to 140mm of rainfall on Tuesday - this is may lead to flash flooding if falls are heavy
• We are monitoring conditions following the 6:30am high tide especially around the northern Gold Coast
• A number of roads are closed – if it's flooded forget it.
• Overnight we issued two Emergency Alerts both of which are now cancelled
• City crews will be going out this morning to assess damage this morning and begin any clean up works required.
• For flood or storm damage call the SES on 132 500 and in a life threatening emergency call triple zero.
• Stay updated at the City dashboard – dashboard.cityofgoldcoast.com.au
• A decision on beaches is being made this morning but lifeguards are monitoring the situation closely as a hazardous surf warning is in place with a significant easterly swell due to develop this morning. bom.gov.au/qld/warnings/hazardoussurf.shtml

  Sandbagging stations

• Sandbagging stations will be open from 6am today.
• Located at:
  • 232 Old Pacific Highway, Pimpama (next to City of Gold Coast Coomera Depot)
  • 42-44 Boyd St, Bilinga (use the service road, next to the City of Gold Coast Tugun Depot)
  • 61 Hutchinson St, Burleigh Heads (Reedy Creek Waste and Recycling Centre)

  Signage will be in place on site to direct motorists to the sandbagging stations.

  PLEASE drive carefully and to the conditions. If it's unsafe to be on the roads, please stay home.

  Important: sandbags can reduce the impact of flooding if they're placed correctly in appropriate locations around property. They are not waterproof and will not stop the water completely.

  Evacuation Assembly Point

• If you do need to evacuate try to shelter with friends and family where possible
• A City Evacuation Assembly Point at the Elanora Community Centre on Galleon Way has been open overnight and currently remains open

  Recovery

• This current weather event may be distressing for people impacted by the recent flooding events.
• The Recovery Hotline remains activated where people can get information about accessing financial support, community services and also assistance with emotional support 1800 173 349
• Alternatively, the Community Recovery Hub at Palm Beach also remains open every day at the 11^th Avenue Community Space, 26 Eleventh Avenue, Palm Beach from 9am-5pm providing these services in person.

Swimming in Gold Coast waters

Rainfall can increase bacterial levels in the water and make it unsafe for swimming.

As a precaution, always avoid swimming:

• for at least one day after heavy rain at open beaches
• for at least 3 days after heavy rain at rivers, lakes and estuaries
• in water that looks discoloured, murky, or smells unpleasant
• near stormwater drains.

For the latest information and advice regarding beach closures and water quality issues visit City Alerts.