Brisbane (Australia), March 6 : People along Australia’s eastern coast are bracing for the arrival of Cyclone Alfred, a slow-moving storm that marks the most southerly tropical cyclone to threaten the region in over 50 years. According to the Brisbane Times, the Bureau of Meteorology’s latest track map shows that the cyclone’s landing has been delayed until 7 a.m. (local time) on Saturday, with Alfred’s speed dropping to just 6 kilometers per hour. The storm has maintained its distance from the coast since 5 p.m.
Cyclone Alfred is predicted to intensify to the strength of a category 1 Atlantic hurricane as it heads westward towards Brisbane, a city of 2.5 million residents, and surrounding coastal areas. Reports by CNN highlight that Alfred is targeting a region not typically affected by cyclones, as such storms usually form much further north, over warmer tropical waters. The delay in the storm’s arrival has allowed authorities more time to issue warnings to residents.
As of Thursday, the Bureau of Meteorology reported that Cyclone Alfred was located about 245 kilometers (152 miles) off the coast, with damaging winds reaching speeds of around 100 kilometers per hour. Schools, public transport, major roads, and airports have been closed, and elective surgeries have been postponed. Emergency departments, however, remain operational.
Hazardous waves have already begun to impact the coast, including a record-breaking wave of 12.3 meters on the Gold Coast, a popular tourist destination south of Brisbane. In northern New South Wales (NSW), approximately 4,000 homes were left without power on Thursday due to downed power lines. Heavy rainfall has caused riverine flooding, threatening low-lying communities.
Authorities have issued warnings to millions of residents in the cyclone’s path, advising them to prepare for destructive wind gusts, flash flooding, and storm surges that could coincide with high tides. Flood watches have been declared across the coast, with rainfall expected to range between 200 to 400 millimeters, and isolated areas may see totals nearing 500 millimeters.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli acknowledged the challenges the storm posed, saying, “There are waves, there is wind, there is rainfall, and there will be flooding, but none of those challenges are insurmountable, and I have every faith in the work that has been done to date.”