Live and local radio front and centre as Cyclone Alfred draws near

As Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues its charge towards our coast, never has the emphasis on ‘live and local’ radio been greater.

With residents across south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales bracing for its impact, it’s times like this that radio comes to the fore as the heartbeat of the communities it serves, as stations ditch normal programming, united in their commitment to keep listeners informed.

MIX FM on the Sunshine Coast has been live and local since five o’clock this morning, and will continue to broadcast live until the cyclone passes, delivering the latest weather updates and emergency response information.

MIX Breakfast co-host Annabelle ‘A.B’ Brett is no stranger to the world of natural disasters. She’s preparing for her seventh in the space of a decade, and in a social media post, she drove home the importance of radio:

“In a trying time for the industry, it’s a bittersweet reminder of the power of radio and local media in general. We have the great honour of being the voice for our region when they’re at their most vulnerable and it’s something we should never take for granted.”

ABC Radio has ramped up its emergency programming.

Day and night, ABC Radio Brisbane continues to track wind speeds from key weather stations.

Yesterday, ABC Radio Queensland moved staff out of its Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast buildings to work from home where possible, or to other locations for emergency radio programming.

Super Radio Network stations  97 FM104.1 and FM 103.5 – covering the Gold Coast to Northern Rivers – have also had rolling live coverage since five this morning.

This morning at 5.30, Brisbane’s 4BC began rolling emergency cyclone coverage, which will continue today across all of its shows, starting on 4BC Breakfast with Peter Fegan.

Throughout the day, cyclone coverage and analysis will continue with hosts Bill McDonald, Sofie Formica, Gary Hardgrave, Jason Matthews and Dean Miller.

Expert weather presenter and new 4BC host Paul Burt will be part of this extensive coverage, bringing listeners his specialist commentary as the cyclone makes landfall.

Nova 106.9 has also been at the forefront of local coverage, with Ash, Luttsy and Nikki Osborne reflecting the feeling of south east Queensland, having spoken to the Premier, Brisbane Lord Mayor and multiple meteorologists.

Nikki has been broadcasting from the Sunshine Coast, Luttsy has been in the Brisbane studio and Ash is on the Gold Coast, covering a large part of the warning area.

Nova has been local between 5am- 2pm since yesterday and will continue its live coverage so until the cyclone has passed.

The station will have a live presenter on air tomorrow night from 8pm Friday-5am Saturday reflecting current events and providing updates to the minute for those people in affected areas.

Nova’s local news and broadcast will continue right through Saturday as the aftermath of the cyclone is realised.

The station says “We’re working around the clock to ensure our listeners feel safe and informed whilst also providing some light entertainment.”

Yesterday, Stav, Abby & Matt spoke to the Prime Minister, as Brisbane’s B105 continues to keep its listeners informed.

KIIS 97.3 producer Mady visited the old Toowong Bowls Club, where Brisbane locals have been busy filling sandbags.

KIIS also asked locals how they’re preparing for the arrival of Cyclone Alfred, prompting one listener to share a photo of her very own ‘Camp Alfred,’ a little spot she created in her home, complete with tub of snacks – located in the broom cupboard under the stairs.

ARN’s local programming includes:

In Brisbane on KIIS973:

• 100% local programming from 3pm today with the following line up from tomorrow.
• 5:30AM – 11AM: Robin, Kip & Corey Oates
• 11AM – 4PM: Drew Chapman
• 4PM – 9PM: Zach & Dom
• 9PM – Midnight: Music
• News updates every 30 minutes
• Comprehensive social coverage

On the Gold Coast at Hot Tomato and Ipswich at River 94.9:

• 24-hour on-air coverage Thursday through Saturday
• Critical content staff have volunteered to sleep at station should access be impacted
• Comprehensive social coverage

On the Sunny Coast at HOT91.1:

• 24-hour coverage as the cyclone hits Thurs/Fri
• Journalist Bruce is staying onsite overnight should access be impacted
• All announcers covering on socials from their respective locations across a 124km stretch of the region
• With severe flooding expected in the aftermath, the team are on standby to continue 24-hour live broadcasting over the weekend

News teams across all locations:

• National news will be replaced by all-local bulletins in impacted markets
• News bulletins delivered at least every half hour from 5am today until overnight Friday (and will be continued across the weekend pending the storm’s movements)
• Extended local bulletins across the weekend

Also on a lighter note, Triple M Brisbane’s Marto shared what his cyclone emergency kit might look like.

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As locals work to reinforce their homes and properties, Hot Tomato on the Gold Coast questioned whether this ‘wheelbarrow dunny’ would stand up to Alfred’s onslaught.

Practical advice has also been paramount, with Triple M Gold among the stations getting the word out on school and transport closures.

Elsewhere, Sea 90.9 on the Goldy listed locations where people can access sandbags.

Across the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, 2LM has been providing handy tips on how to prepare.

Community radio stations in the region are also working around the clock to get vital information out to their listeners.

Youth community radio station Switch Brisbane (1197AM and DAB+) has been broadcasting live non-stop all week, with announcers spread across south-east Queensland in virtual studios.

One presenter even shared pics of some cute companions last night.

“Starting to tabulate the votes for this weeks Hot 30 while we remain live. I even have 2 Staffies sleeping under the desk. Bit messy. Don’t care – they are happy and safe and so am I.”

The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) is lending its support, saying “If your station is affected and you have any questions or concerns, or want to keep us updated on what your team is doing during the cyclone please get in touch.”

At the time of publication, the Bureau of Meteorology predicted Cyclone Alfred would cross the coast later tomorrow (Friday), most likely between Maroochydore and Coolangatta.

Damaging and destructive wind gusts, storms and heavy rain are expected to develop later today, impacting parts of south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales.