A powerful tropical storm is set to impact Australia’s eastern coast on Saturday morning, prompting the evacuation of tens of thousands and causing power outages for over 230,000 homes.
Initially named Cyclone Alfred, the storm has weakened to a tropical low. However, winds are still expected to reach 85 km/h, though this is lower than previous predictions.
The Bureau of Meteorology reports that the storm is currently near Bribie Island and is moving slowly north. It is expected to make landfall between Bribie Island and Maroochydore.
Authorities are urging residents to stay indoors and avoid beaches, as heavy rainfall and flooding remain serious concerns.
Severe Weather and Flash Flooding Expected
Senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury has warned that the region will experience extreme weather and heavy rainfall over the next two days.
“Our 24-hour rainfall totals could easily exceed 200mm or more,” Bradbury said on Saturday morning.
Flooding has already begun, and officials expect conditions to worsen over the weekend. In New South Wales, police have reported one man missing after his car was swept away by floodwaters.
The storm’s path affects four million people across Queensland and northern New South Wales. Experts describe the storm’s movement as “erratic” and “slow”, raising concerns over flash flooding.
Communities Brace for Impact
Residents are making last-minute preparations as the storm approaches. Stephen Valentine, who lives south of Brisbane, has stored 30 liters of water and stocked up on emergency supplies.
“We’ve prepared as much as we can,” he said. “We’ve never seen anything like this come so far south.”
While Queensland frequently experiences cyclones, it is unusual for storms to reach this far south. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the severity of the situation, calling the cyclone a “scary proposition” for the region.
Closures and Cancellations as Storm Approaches
Authorities have taken extensive precautionary measures, including:
- Closing nearly 1,000 schools
- Suspending public transport
- Shutting down airports, with flights expected to resume on Sunday
- Canceling elective surgeries
The last major cyclone to hit the region was in 1974, when Wanda and Zoe struck within two months. However, flooding remains the greater concern, with heavy rainfall in 2022 damaging thousands of homes along the east coast.
Officials acted early by opening sandbag depots to help residents protect their homes. Anthony Singh, a resident of Brisbane, waited four hours to collect sandbags, while Mark Clayton helped distribute over 140 tonnes of sand.
Surfers Take Advantage of the Waves
Despite warnings, some surfers are embracing the extreme conditions.
“This is what we live for,” said Jeff Weatherall, a surfer waiting for a jet ski at Kirra Beach. “For five days straight, I’ve done nothing but eat, sleep, surf, and repeat.”
The famous waves at Kirra Beach have drawn surfers eager to ride the strong winds. “People will lose their homes,” admitted surfer Donnie Neal, “but right now, this is incredible surf.”
Prime Minister Albanese has urged residents to take the warnings seriously.
“This isn’t a time for sightseeing or thrill-seeking,” he stated. “Please stay safe and be sensible.”
For the latest updates on the storm, visit EuroNews24.