Rahul Somvanshi
Tropical Cyclone Alfred is slowing down but still poses serious threats to residents along Australia’s eastern coast. Originally expected to make landfall Thursday, the Category 2 storm has changed course and is now projected to hit early Saturday morning.
Current Status
Alfred is currently 245 kilometers east of Brisbane, moving westward at just 10 km/h with sustained winds of 95 km/h and gusts up to 130 km/h. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) meteorologist Matt Collopy noted the cyclone’s slow movement is a “concern in terms of the rainfall and the potential flooding.”
“Tropical cyclones typically as they cross are erratic,” Collopy added, warning the actual coastal crossing could take between three to six hours.
Affected Areas and Evacuation Efforts
The cyclone‘s western edge is already causing “significant impacts” from Coolangatta to Ballina in NSW. More than 20,000 Brisbane homes are at risk of flooding, with authorities issuing evacuation warnings for low-lying areas.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli confirmed 25 evacuation centers are now open as a last resort, though he stressed people should preferably shelter with friends and family. The “when and where” of the cyclone’s crossing remains uncertain, potentially affecting a large area between the Sunshine Coast and Byron Bay.
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Rainfall and Flooding Concerns
The BOM predicts intense rainfall from Thursday through Saturday, with daily totals of 200 to 400mm in some locations.
“This could mean totals of over 800mm for this event,” Collopy warned. “In terms of flooding, that rainfall is expected to produce both flash and riverine flooding, and both of these types of flooding can be life-threatening.”
Fresh flood warnings have been issued for northern NSW, where some catchments are already “wet to saturated.” The Tweed, Brunswick, Wilsons, Richmond, Bellinger, Kalang, and Nambucca rivers already have warnings in place. The BOM has added the Clarence, Orara, Macleay, Hastings, and Camden Haven river catchments to the list, noting risks of “moderate to major flooding.”
Public Services Disruptions
- Schools: 1,030 schools closed Thursday and Friday
- Airports: Gold Coast Airport and Ballina Byron Gateway Airport shut Thursday, canceling 89 and 12 flights respectively
- Airlines: Qantas and Rex canceled all Coffs Harbour flights Thursday
- Hospitals: Elective surgeries canceled Thursday and Friday (emergency surgeries continuing)
- Supermarkets: Many closing or reducing hours in impact zones
- Power: First outages reported as gale-force winds knock down power lines
NSW Premier Chris Minns, speaking from Lismore, described Alfred as “behaving like a completely unwanted house guest. It’s told us it’s going to be late but linger longer.” He warned this means “the window for destruction in our community – heavy rains, winds, powerful surf – is longer than we would have otherwise.”
Coastal Impacts
The BOM‘s Jane Golding identified Cape Byron as the area closest to Alfred’s core, noting gale-force winds above 50 km/h have been recorded along coastal locations in NSW. She warned of “abnormally high tide” with water levels higher than normally seen for the year’s highest tide.
“We expect significant coastal erosion associated with this,” Golding said, adding that powerful waves could cause inundation along coastal strips “into areas that we would not normally see.”
Despite warnings, some surfers have taken advantage of the massive swells. Gold Coast-based artist Saxon McCorquodale caught what he called “the wave of my life” at Kirra Beach using a vintage surfboard purchased for under $20. The Byron Bay surf has drawn crowds “nearly as busy as on Christmas” according to reporter Angus Dalton.
Historical Context
According to the source material, this is a significant cyclone event for Brisbane. The headline refers to it potentially being the “first direct impact in 50 years,” though specific historical details aren’t provided in the text.
FAQ
When and where will Cyclone Alfred make landfall?
+Cyclone Alfred is now expected to make landfall early Saturday morning. The cyclone has slowed to 10 km/h and could take 3-6 hours to cross the coast. The exact location remains uncertain, but it could affect anywhere between the Sunshine Coast and Byron Bay.
How much rainfall is expected from Cyclone Alfred?
+The Bureau of Meteorology predicts intense rainfall from Thursday through Saturday, with daily totals of 200 to 400mm in some locations. Total rainfall could exceed 800mm for the entire event, leading to both flash and riverine flooding.
Which services are affected by the cyclone?
+Multiple services have been disrupted:
- 1,030 schools closed Thursday and Friday
- Gold Coast Airport and Ballina Byron Gateway Airport closed Thursday
- Elective surgeries canceled (emergency surgeries continuing)
- Many supermarkets closing or reducing hours
- Power outages beginning as winds knock down lines
How powerful is Cyclone Alfred?
+Alfred is currently a Category 2 cyclone with sustained winds of 95 km/h and gusts up to 130 km/h. Authorities have expressed concerns it could intensify to Category 3 before landfall.
Where can people evacuate to?
+Queensland has opened 25 evacuation centers as a last resort. Premier David Crisafulli recommends people shelter with friends and family if possible. Special provisions have been made for homeless individuals in the affected areas.
Which rivers are at risk of flooding?
+Multiple rivers have flood warnings in place, including the Tweed, Brunswick, Wilsons, Richmond, Bellinger, Kalang, and Nambucca rivers. The BOM has also added warnings for the Clarence, Orara, Macleay, Hastings, and Camden Haven river catchments, with risks of “moderate to major flooding.” The Manning and Gloucester rivers may experience minor flooding.
