Australia Prepares for Cyclone Alfred’s Impact- wna24
Representative image. | Image:
AP
Tropical Cyclone Alfred is set to make landfall in Australia on Friday morning, bringing strong winds, heavy rainfall, and potentially dangerous conditions.
Residents in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales have begun preparing as governments shut down schools, cancel flights, and suspend public transport services in anticipation of the storm.
School Closures in Queensland and NSW
On Wednesday morning, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli announced the closure of schools across southeast Queensland for Thursday and Friday. As of 3:30 PM (local time) Wednesday:
- 663 state schools,
- 120 independent schools, and
- 180 Catholic schools had been shut.
In northern NSW (New South Wales), similar closures have taken place, with 122 public schools and five independent schools shutting down.
Airports Shut Down, Flights Canceled
With the cyclone’s path moving closer to the coast, major airports and airlines have begun suspending operations:
- Gold Coast Airport closed at 4 PM Wednesday.
- Ballina Airport flights were cancelled by Jetstar, Qantas, and Virgin Australia.
- Coffs Harbour Airport will stop flights from midnight Wednesday.
- Brisbane and Sunshine Coast airports remain open, but travelers have been warned to check with airlines for any changes.
It is unclear when airports will reopen.
Public Transport and Council Services Disrupted
Brisbane City Council has announced a suspension of CityCat and ferry services, with bus services stopping from Wednesday night until further notice.
- Rubbish collection in Brisbane is limited to red bins only and will be suspended entirely from Thursday.
- Council libraries, community halls, and golf courses will shut down from Thursday.
- The State Library closed at 5 PM Wednesday.
Transport for NSW has advised against unnecessary travel, as rail services will be limited. TrainLink services will now terminate at Taree, with no guarantee of rail replacement buses north of Taree.
Evacuation Centers and Essential Services
Emergency services are preparing for the worst-case scenario, with 14 evacuation centers opening in northern NSW.
With Cyclone Alfred fast approaching, authorities are urging residents to take precautions, stay informed, and avoid unnecessary travel. More updates are expected as the storm progresses.