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Emergency services warn coast residents to prepare for severe weather conditions
05/22/2009

Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) is urging people in coastal areas from the Gold Coast to Fraser Island to prepare for worsening weather conditions across the weekend.

Gale-force winds, considerably high tides and damaging waves are expected to impact the Gold Coast tonight and tomorrow with high tides expected at 6.49pm tonight and 6.50am tomorrow.

On the Sunshine Coast and north to Fraser Island, conditions are also expected to deteriorate across the weekend, with high tides, strong winds and damaging waves developing tomorrow. High tides are expected around 6.30am and 7.30pm in these areas tomorrow.

The south-east coast of Queensland can expect weather conditions to be worse tonight than yesterday and even worse again tomorrow.

EMQ Deputy Executive Director Bruce Grady said tides were expected to exceed the highest tide level of the year on the evening high tides tonight and tomorrow, with inundation of low lying areas likely.

Damaging winds with gusts up to 100 kilometres an hour may also develop about the exposed coast and islands south of Double Island Point tomorrow.

“Authorities will continue to meet across the weekend to assess data in order to keep residents informed of predicted conditions,” Mr Grady said.

“People in exposed areas, as well as canal and protected areas, are advised to exercise extreme caution and to stay well away from low-lying areas and avoid eroded beaches and coastline.

“EMQ strongly urges people not to walk, drive or ride through inundated areas and to especially keep children away from the water.

“Those intending to go out on the water this weekend and people living in low-lying areas near the coast, particularly in caravan parks, are especially urged to be alert for changing weather conditions.”

Residents should listen to their local radio station to keep up-to-date with weather conditions and what actions they may need to take.

Updated weather reports are also available on the Bureau of Meteorology’s website at www.bom.gov.au



Contact: Emergency Services Media on 07 3247 8186