Tropical Cyclone Alfred has been closed in southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales, with authorities warning residents to “prepare now” for “very rare events.”
Millions of people in Queensland and Northern New South Wales (NSW) have been warned to evacuate or evacuate by flights, trains, buses and schools.
Meteorologists warn that the cyclone will bring destructive winds of up to 120 kmph, life-threatening flash floods, and 8 meters of waves.
Follow Cyclone Alfred’s live coverage
“The full government is taking this seriously, and so should the governments on the Queenslander and the North Coast of New South Wales,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
On Thursday, the storm slowed as it moved towards Australia’s east coast. Currently, it is expected to land between Maroochydor and Coolangatta on Friday night or early Saturday morning.
The cyclone charting rare roads in the Pacific Ocean is the first to directly affect nearby areas Brisbane Since Nancy in 1990.
On Thursday, Alfred traveled just 7kmph across West Northwest, 245km east of Brisbane, 230km east of the Gold Coast, according to a 5pm local time Meteorological Bureau (BOM) update.
The Cyclone maintains Category 2 strength with gusts of wind up to 130kmph. But that slow movement means that Alfred can increase the time it intensifies, supplying warm seawater and low vertical wind shears, which can become stronger before reaching the coast.
Meteorologist Thomas Hinterdorfer said this could lead to extreme weather conditions, with some areas potentially causing heavy rain, destructive winds and rain rapids for up to 12-14 hours.
“The lower vertical shear will take more time. There’s more time in warm seawater. All fuel helps it intensify.” Courier Mail.
“It’s not a good scenario to have that. It’s a little slower so you’d prefer to go through faster.”
Authorities say the effects of the cyclone will extend well beyond the landing zone, along with destructive winds, extreme rainfall and dangerous rainfall rapids from Double Island Point (QLD) to Ballina (NSW).
Bomb warns that a surge in storms could cause major flooding in low-lying coastal areas, especially if Alfred’s landfall coincides with high tide early on Friday.
Key Regional Warnings:
- Gold Coast & Tweed Coast: Lowland extreme beach erosion, storm surges, and flooding
- Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Byron Bay & Ballina: Coastal flooding and dangerous tide risks
- From Sunshine Coast to Cape Byron:tide
“The tide is likely to significantly exceed the highest tide levels due to wave damage and dangerous flooding in coastal lowlands,” Bomb said.
The 78-year-old woman was hospitalized with head trauma after being swept by a huge wave at Currumbin Beach on Wednesday evening.
Major flood warnings have also been introduced, with forecasts of up to 600mm of rain in some areas.
- Brisbane & Morton BAY: 300-500mm
- Gold Coast & Sunshine Coast: 400-600mm
- Northern NSW (Byron, Ballina, Lismore, Tweed): 250-400mm
After NSW issued Cyclone Alfred’s first flood warning on Wednesday, the Bellinger River and Tweed River catchments are currently under the main flood clock.
Queensland Premier David Krisaifli has asked him to prepare for a blackout halt to prevent the widespread impact of emergency crews.
“We have a 1,000 energy crew ready to regain power, but people need to prepare for a long-lasting stop,” he said.
He also warned people to act before it was too late, as he called Cyclone Alfred a “very rare event.”
“This cyclone could cross the tides in the middle of the night. It’s not time to plan your evacuation plan, it’s time,” warned Chris Furri.
With residents of southeast Queensland already losing power, authorities say some areas can be left without electricity for up to three days.
“After an event like this, it is essential to connect power as soon as possible,” the prime minister said.
Crisafulli reassured the Queenslanders that their response and recovery efforts have already been coordinated.
“There is no sunlight between response and recovery. The best way to ensure a good recovery is to do little things now and not harm yourself,” he said.
Several airports have been closed, and public transport in Brisbane and nearby areas have been suspended until further notice.
Gold Coast Airport had closed its services from 4pm on Wednesday to 4pm local time until notification until all flights to and from Ballina were cancelled on Wednesday and Thursday. Coffs Harbour Airport has also suspended flights from midnight on Wednesday
Airlines such as Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar offer free flight changes. Jetstar offers travel vouchers.
Gold Coast Acting Mayor Donna Gates warns residents to stay indoors from 6pm tonight, saying conditions are worse than what the city has seen for decades.
“This looks like the most important event in our city, with the most devastating winds and heavy rain since 1954,” she said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Australian Defence Forces were officially engaged and sent 250,000 additional punching bags to Queensland on Wednesday after 125,000 sandbags had already been delivered and 80,000 previously distributed.
It is rare for cyclones to go further south along Australia’s east coast. Slurping waters warmer than the normal Pacific waters, Alfred went on an unusual path on Tuesday, bolstering it into Category 2 and suddenly turned west.
“Cyclone Alfred is projected to affect northern NSW, but this is not a generally at-risk area. The last cyclone warning here was over 50 years ago. This could indicate that the range of tropical cyclones is even wider than the tropical due to global warming.”
Dr. Tom Mortlock of Aon said sea surface temperatures are fueling the storm further south, warm enough to keep Syklon up to Sydney.
Residents in southeastern Queensland and northeastern NSW are being urged to secure property, prepare emergency kits and follow evacuation advice as conditions worsen.
Officials warn that if a cyclone hits, emergency services will not reach those at risk, making early action important.
