Australia Braces For Rare Cyclone As Alfred Approaches Eastern Coast

 

Millions of residents along Australia’s eastern coastline are preparing for the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, an unusually southerly storm expected to bring damaging winds, torrential rain, and widespread flooding. Set to make landfall late Friday or early Saturday, Alfred is poised to hit with the strength of a Category 1 Atlantic hurricane as it moves westward toward Brisbane and surrounding coastal areas.

A Rare and Unpredictable Threat

Cyclones typically form much farther north over warmer tropical waters, making Alfred an unusual and concerning event for this region. The delay in its arrival has given officials more time to issue warnings and prepare communities, many of which have never faced a storm of this magnitude.

As of Thursday, Alfred was about 245 kilometers (152 miles) off the coast, with sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour), according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). The cyclone has already produced hazardous waves, including a record-breaking swell of 12.3 meters (40 feet) on the Gold Coast.

Authorities are urging caution, with Gold Coast City Council threatening fines of up to $10,000 (16,000 AUD) for anyone venturing too close to dangerous rock walls and rough waters, following reports of injuries among onlookers.

Widespread Disruptions and Flooding Risks

The storm has already caused power outages in northern New South Wales (NSW), leaving around 4,000 homes without electricity. Heavy rainfall is flooding low-lying areas, and officials warn that worsening conditions could bring destructive wind gusts, flash flooding, and storm surges, exacerbated by high tides.

Flood watches are in place along the coast, with expected rainfall ranging from 200 to 400 millimeters (7.8 to 15.7 inches) and isolated totals nearing 500 millimeters (nearly 20 inches).

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli outlined four key threats: dangerous waves, high winds, intense rainfall, and severe flooding. “None of these challenges are insurmountable, and I have every faith in the work that has been done to date,” he assured residents.

Preparations have included school closures, the suspension of public transport, and the shutdown of shops and services, leaving many with little to do but brace for impact—or watch the massive swells rolling onto beaches.

A Storm Unlike Any in Decades

NSW Premier Chris Minns likened Alfred to an unwelcome houseguest, saying, “Unfortunately, that means the window for destruction—heavy rains, winds, powerful surf—is longer than we would have otherwise liked.”

The last cyclone of comparable strength to strike this far south was Cyclone Zoe in 1974, which caused devastating flooding in Brisbane and the Northern Rivers region of NSW. Since then, Brisbane’s population has more than doubled, heightening concerns about the storm’s potential impact.

Experts warn that the most severe effects may be felt south of the storm’s eye, along the popular tourist beaches stretching from the Gold Coast to northern NSW.

“We haven’t seen anything quite like this for 50 years,” said Darrell Strauss, a coastal management researcher at Griffith University. “Storm surges, coastal erosion, and sea inundation are all serious threats from Brisbane to the Northern Rivers.”

Communities on Edge

Northern NSW is particularly vulnerable, with creeks and rivers expected to overflow. This area has already endured multiple devastating floods in recent years, including disasters in 2017 and 2022.

“We know that after years of trauma and devastating floods, there is a lot of anxiety in the community,” said Rose Jackson, Minister for the North Coast. “Mental health support is available.”

In Brisbane, residents have rushed to supermarkets, clearing shelves of essentials. Demand for sandbags has surged, leading to reports of people stealing sand from beach volleyball courts as supplies run low.

According to the Lord Mayor’s office, up to 20,000 properties in Brisbane could be affected by storm surges or flash flooding. Meanwhile, beaches along the Queensland and NSW coast have been closed, with emergency services warning of possible storm surges up to 10 meters (32 feet)—the highest warning issued in NSW since 1990.

A Dangerous Weekend Ahead

As Cyclone Alfred nears landfall, authorities are urging residents to stay indoors, avoid floodwaters, and follow emergency instructions. With conditions worsening, the coming days will test the resilience of communities facing a storm unlike anything in recent memory.