Cyclone Alfred Swirls Toward Australia’s East Coast, Residents Urged to Evacuate- wna24

Australia is on high alert as Tropical Cyclone Alfred barrels toward the east coast, with Brisbane expected to bear the brunt of the storm. Authorities are urging residents in flood-prone areas to evacuate as the cyclone intensifies, bringing the risk of destructive winds, heavy rain, and life-threatening flash floods.

Storm alerts have been issued across a 500-kilometre stretch of Queensland and New South Wales, impacting millions of people. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has warned that the cyclone is an extremely rare event for the region, urging residents to prepare immediately.

“If you are in a storm tide zone or you’re in an area where you know there is riverine flooding, you really need to consider and think about your evacuation plan now,” Crisafulli said.

Many residents have already begun leaving their homes, while authorities rush to open evacuation centres. However, sandbags are running low, and supermarkets have been emptied as people stock up on essentials.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast that Cyclone Alfred will make landfall early Friday as a category-two storm near Brisbane, bringing wind gusts of up to 155 kph (96 mph). Heavy rainfall of up to 800 mm (31.5 inches) is expected in some areas—more than the entire monthly average for March—posing a severe flood risk.

“This is a very rare event for south-east Queensland … it has been many decades since this part of the state experienced [a cyclone],” Crisafulli said.

Southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales have not faced a cyclone of this magnitude in more than 50 years, with the last major storm hitting in 1974. The last cyclone to threaten Brisbane was in 1990, but it veered south before making landfall.

To minimize risks, officials have announced widespread closures and service suspensions:

• Schools: In Queensland, schools will shut down on Thursday and Friday, while 122 schools in northern New South Wales will close starting Wednesday. Vulnerable residents have been advised to relocate by Thursday morning.
• Public Transport: All public transport in southeast Queensland will cease operations on Thursday and Friday.
• Flights: Qantas has already canceled multiple flights from southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales, with more disruptions expected.

The severe weather has also forced the cancellation of several major sporting events. The Ladies European Tour’s WPGA Championship event has been called off, while the Australian Football League (AFL) has postponed two matches in southern Queensland.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese assured the public that emergency response teams are ready, with heavy-lift helicopters already deployed to assist in rescue and relief efforts.

“We will provide whatever resources are required,” Albanese said.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns urged residents to prepare for challenging conditions.

“We need to bunker down over the next 48 hours and get through what may be a very difficult time,” he said.

As Australia braces for Cyclone Alfred’s impact, authorities continue to monitor the situation, urging residents to stay informed, follow evacuation orders, and prepare for potential power outages and transportation disruptions.