Sunshine Coast Mayor and Local Disaster Management Group Chair Rosanna Natoli urged the community to prioritise their safety, and that of others.
"Now is not the time to be complacent," Mayor Natoli said.
"The BoM is expecting Tropical Cyclone Alfred to make landfall Saturday.
"Tonight, we're expecting to experience potentially destructive winds.
"The strong winds could bring down trees, powerlines, blow roofs off and turn loose items outdoors into projectiles.
"Saturday and Sunday pose the highest risk for heavy rainfall and flash flooding.
"Driving during these conditions is dangerous and flooded roads can be deadly.
"Remember, 'if it's flooded, forget it!'.
"By staying indoors from 6pm this evening, you keep yourself, your loved ones and your community safe.
"Staying indoors also means our emergency services can focus on providing support to our most impacted."
The community is also encouraged to keep-up-to date by visiting the BoM website and Disaster Hub Sunshine Coast which includes places of refuge, warnings and road closures, and river and creek and storm surge flood maps.
Places of Refuge
Sunshine Coast Council has three places of refuge open.
- Nambour Showgrounds: Animals can be housed at this location in crates, which must be supplied by the owner.
- Caloundra Indoor Stadium: North Street, Caloundra (animals not accepted).
- Landsborough Sportsground: 15 Tunnel Ridge Road, Landsborough (animals not accepted).
Please take only essential items such as basic toiletries, medication, personal identification, your pillow and blanket, as space is at a premium.
You can find up-to-date Place of Refuge locations on Council's Disaster Hub.
Tips closed on Saturday
For safety and access reasons, Council tips will remain closed on Saturday. We will reassess if the tips can re-open on Sunday and will keep our community informed.
Sunshine Coast Council's rubbish tips will be free for your storm damaged household general waste and green waste disposal until COB Sunday March 16 for properties directly impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Residential bin collections are planned to resume from Monday (March 10).
Sandbags available
Some SES sandbag depots remain open today for self-service with 64,000 bags still available for community use.
Sandbag depots will not re-open over the weekend. Check Council's Disaster Hub for a full list of open depots.
How to report damages
Report fallen trees, roads or sewerage and water infrastructure at risk to the community log via the Sunshine Coast App (the App Store or Google Play) or on 5475 7272.
Report fallen powerlines to Energex on 13 19 62.
For trees on main roads (such as Sunshine Motorway, Nicklin Way, Caloundra Rd and the Bruce Highway), contact the Department of Transport and Main Roads on 131 940.
Supermarkets, fuel stations and Sunshine Coast Airport
Some supermarkets may close this afternoon. Please check their operating hours directly on their website.
Fuel stations may also close. Those with external credit card payment options may still be operational subject to power outages.
Check Sunshine Coast Airport's Facebook for the latest updates. While the airport remains open, some airlines have cancelled services and there is the potential for more cancellations.
