UPDATE 1.15pm
THE Logan and Albert rivers have been included the latest flood watch issued by the Bureau of Meteorology as Tropical Cyclone Oma approaches.
The Bureau has warned that river levels could rise above minor flood levels for coastal catchments between Gladstone and the NSW border, and adjacent inland areas.
Moderate to major flooding could also occur, dependent on Tropical Cyclone Oma's movements.
Forecasters at the Bureau of Meteorology do not yet know what Cyclone Oma's exact track will be, with her path likely to be influenced by the development and movement of an upper trough over the coming days.
She is currently about 890-kilometres north-east of Brisbane, travelling south-west about 11 km/h.
Her movement across Saturday is expected to be slow before she begins tracking in a more north or north-west direction, remaining offshore throughout the weekend.
The Bureau warned southern Queensland catchments would likely respond quickly where intense rainfall was recorded, despite a dry start to the year and delayed wet season.
Heavy rainfall may also lead to localised flooding, the Bureau advised.
Catchments likely to be affected
- Calliope River
- Boyne River
- Baffle Creek
- Kolan River
- Burnett River
- Burrum and Cherwell Rivers
- Mary River
- Noosa River
- Sunshine Coast Rivers and Creeks
- Pine and Caboolture Rivers
- Upper Brisbane River
- Lower Brisbane River
- Logan and Albert Rivers
- Gold Coast Rivers and Creeks
- Condamine Rivers
- Macintyre River
- Weir River
- Moonie River
UPDATE 12.30pm:
GALE force winds will rattle exposed coastal areas of southern Queensland from Friday as Tropical Cyclone Oma nears, according the Bureau of Meteorology.
Residents have been warned to visit local government disaster sites for more information on how to keep safe.
Gale force winds are winds averaging from 34 knots and up to 47 knots, according to BOM.
The Bureau issued a cyclone watch at 11am today for Bundaberg to Ballina in New South Wales, including the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Gold Coast.
- Read more: Cyclone Oma tracks towards Queensland
While Bureau meteorologists do not expect Oma to make landfall in the coming days, she will likely be close enough to directly impact coastline along Queensland and New South Wales.
Cyclone Oma is about 890-kilometres north-east of Brisbane, travelling south-west about 11 km/h.
Her movement across Saturday is expected to be slow before she begins tracking in a more north or north-west direction, remaining offshore throughout the weekend.
The Bureau has warned morning high tide levels may exceed the highest tide of the year by around one metre over the next few days.
Seas and swell are expected to increase, with dangerous surf developing on Fraser Island's east coast later today.
"These conditions are then expected to extend south over the remaining south-eastern Queensland coast and northern New South Wales coast during this evening and Friday," the Bureau advised.
"Beach erosion is likely to continue with the hazardous marine conditions."
EARLIER
LOGAN City Council has urged residents to make sure their backyards are tidy and to trim tree branches as authorities keep a close watch of Cyclone Oma.
The category two system is travelling south-west from New Caledonia towards Queensland's coast.
Tracking maps prepared by the Bureau of Meteorology suggest the system could hit near the Fraser Coast or reach within 200-kilometres of Brisbane's coastline on the weekend.
Hazardous surf warnings have been put in place for Queensland coastal, south of Rockhampton, as the system generates large swells.
A Logan City Council spokesperson said council was meeting with its disaster management team later today to discuss the unfolding situation.
Forecasters at the Bureau of Meteorology do not yet know what Cyclone Oma's exact track will be, with her path likely to be influenced by the development and movement of an upper trough over the coming days.
However, the risk of Cyclone Oma nearing or crossing the Queensland's east coast during the weekend remained.
Cyclone Oma developed from a tropical low which was embedded in the monsoon trough that inundated northern Queensland earlier this month.
Rain is expected along Queensland's coast, south from Bundaberg, from late Friday.
However, that rain would be intensified if Cyclone Oma made landfall.
In March 2017, ex-tropical Cyclone Debbie caused more than $1 billion damage when she crossed Queensland's coastline.
The Albert and Logan rivers flooded during that event, inundating nearby homes, ruining farms and nurseries and washing away livestock, in some cases.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford urged residents to keep alert to Cyclone Oma and prepare for heavy gales and winds.
“Some parts of the southeast coast are already experiencing dangerous and damaging surf and our lifeguards and lifesavers are on full alert.
“Erosion is a problem along several beaches, and the expected high tides and rough seas mean some may need to be closed.
“If that’s the case the safest thing to do is stay away.”
Logan City Council's disaster dashboard can be seen here.