Bribie Island, off the coast of Brisbane, has been split in two by violent tides, with locals fearing the divide is here to stay.
Destructive surf and a 2.1 metre king tide forced the land to split, with the BoM confirming the worst of the severe weather, caused by ex-cyclone Seth off Queensland's coast, was likely to hit today.
Rough conditions are expected to continue tomorrow and into the next few days, with warnings in place for winds of up to 100 km an hour in the state's south east tonight.
Kite surfer Marcus Olsen said the damage done to the island is heartbreaking for Bribie Island's residents.
"I've lived here for 35 years. Never seen anything like this. Ripping the guts out, making two islands," Mr Olsen said.
Today, jet skiers and beach goers tested out the new surroundings of a now divided island.
Kerrie Chandler from Bill's Boat Hire said he's never seen anything like it.
"What we've seen today, is history in the making," he said.
The channel, which also appeared on the island in December 2020, has caused erosion damage.
This time, sand continues to crumble into the water, and the channel is wider and deeper, sparking concerns the island's division will be permanent.
The full extent of the island's damage won't be determined until rough sea conditions ease towards the end of the week.
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