Cyclone Alfred, a rare Category 2 storm, threatens Australian coast, putting millions at risk

Cyclone Alfred, an unprecedented Category 2 storm, poses a significant threat to Australia's southeastern coast, particularly the metropolitan areas of Brisbane and the Gold Coast. As one of the rare cyclones to reach this intensity in recent history, Alfred is expected to bring destructive winds exceeding 155 km/h and heavy rainfall that could surpass half a meter . The impending landfall is anticipated between Thursday and Friday, with authorities issuing urgent evacuation orders for vulnerable coastal communities . The situation has led to widespread preparations as residents rush to secure their homes and gather essential supplies.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred, with strength the equivalent of a category 1 Atlantic hurricane, is expected to cross the coast just south of the Queensland capital of Brisbane, home to 2.5 million people, in the early hours of Friday, potentially at high tide, complicating the days ahead for emergency services.

“This is a rare event – to have a tropical cyclone in an area that is not classified as part of the tropics, here in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales (NSW),” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Brisbane is shutting down trains, buses and ferry services from Wednesday and several matches and events have been cancelled in Queensland and New South Wales (NSW).

Alfred is now about 325km east of Brisbane, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). It is moving towards the southeast Queensland coast at 16kmph.

There’s a concern that Alfred could slow down to 11kmph, which would be the “worst case scenario”, Higgins Storm Chasing’s Thomas Hinterdorfer told The Courier-Mail.

The cyclone's trajectory indicates that its most severe impacts will manifest south of its eye, where flooding is already a pressing concern. Northern New South Wales communities are still grappling with recovery from previous flooding events in 2022 . As Cyclone Alfred approaches, local governments have taken precautionary measures by closing beaches and schools while public transport in Brisbane has been suspended . With predictions suggesting that the storm could slow down significantly upon landfall—potentially coinciding with high tide—the risk of catastrophic flooding increases substantially.

In response to this imminent threat, the Australian Defence Force has mobilized resources by distributing over 250,000 sandbags across affected regions. This proactive approach underscores the seriousness of Cyclone Alfred's potential impact on millions living along Australia's east coast. As the nation braces for what could be one of its most challenging weather events in decades, it becomes imperative for individuals and communities to heed warnings and prepare accordingly.

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Sarah H

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