Tweed Daily News

A FISHERMAN called police yesterday after thinking he had seen a body floating in the water off Cudgen Headland.

The wild weather and rough conditions made vision difficult, but police attended and scanned the waves from their position on the shore about 2pm.

On viewing an object floating in the surf, police called on surf lifesavers from Cudgen to assist them, but later determined the mysterious object to be a buoy.

Meanwhile, all Tweed and Gold Coast beaches are expected to remain closed through to Sunday as wild weather continues to thrash the coast.

Northern NSW lifeguard co- ordinator Scott McCartney said those who attempted to enter the water during this time were “tempting fate”.

“The only beach that remains patrolled at this time of year is Salt,” Mr McCartney said yesterday.

“But Salt, along with all the Tweed beaches, is classified as closed and is expected to remain closed until at least Friday if the weather stays the same.”

Gold Coast City Council also issued a statement yesterday saying its beaches were closed due to increasing swell and wind, dangerous seas and poor visibility.

Mr McCartney said it was important to follow any directions issued by lifeguards and to obey any signage displayed.

He also warned people to stay away from rock ledges and shelves and to avoid rock-fishing.

Heavy rains hitting the Northern Rivers are also bringing potential electrical dangers, according to Country Energy.

Far North Coast regional general manager Richard Wake was yesterday asking people to remain vigilant about potential hazards.

“If your home or business has been flooded, electrical hazards can remain long after the water has gone and the physical clean-up is complete,” Mr Wake said. “When water enters a building, the interior structure may be soaked and present a serious electrical hazard even after the water is gone.”

In the event of a building flood, Mr Wake urged people not to re-enter the building until sure any energised electrical wiring had been shut off or disconnected.

“We recommend that people have a qualified electrician inspect all wiring before turning power on,” he said.

View flood photos from south-east Queensland.

For more images of floods around the Sunshine Coast, check out The Sunshine Coast Daily's photo gallery from Wednesday, May 20, and a second flood gallery from Thursday, May 21.

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Northern NSW prepares for floods

More wet weather to come for the Sunshine Coast

Person caught in flood waters

Flood water closes Bruce Highway

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Severe weather still expected

Rain a crushing blow for farmers

View the RACQ report on road closures

Check out the Bureau of Meteorology's live radar image.