Cyclone Alfred is set to make a historic landfall in Queensland, prompting mass evacuations and leading to severe weather warnings across Australia's eastern coast. Authorities report growing concerns over flooding and power outages as the storm advances.
Evacuations Intensify as Cyclone Alfred Approaches Australia’s Coast
Evacuations Intensify as Cyclone Alfred Approaches Australia’s Coast
Over 15,000 residents in Queensland and New South Wales face mandatory evacuations, while flooding and power outages escalate ahead of Cyclone Alfred's landfall.
The impending impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred has sparked mandatory evacuations for over 15,000 residents in Queensland and New South Wales, with authorities estimating tens of thousands more without power and increasing flood rescue efforts under way. With projected landfall near Brisbane—the capital of Queensland—Alfred is expected to be the first cyclone to hit this region in decades.
As of Friday afternoon, Cyclone Alfred was located approximately 80 miles off the coast of Brisbane, already causing complications with rising tides and flooding. The neighboring state of New South Wales has deemed nearly 29,000 homes at risk of flooding, with thousands of residents evacuated and power outages reported for about 38,000 individuals in the state and an additional 46,000 in Queensland.
As the cyclone swirls slowly westward at about 5 miles per hour, authorities are concerned that the prolonged rainfall and rising storm surges could worsen the impacts on vulnerable coastal communities. Lismore, a city still recovering from devastating floods in 2022, is one of the areas on high alert.
Already, powerful winds gusting up to 75 miles per hour have begun affecting the coastal areas, leading to warnings of dangerous flash flooding even before the cyclone officially makes landfall. This event marks a significant meteorological development as it's the first cyclone to approach southeastern Queensland since 1974, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.
In preparation for the storm, hundreds of schools, airports, and public transportation services have been suspended across southern Queensland and northern New South Wales. Grocery shelves are becoming increasingly empty as residents stock up on essentials and seek sandbags in preparation for the storm's advance.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that emergency federal funds will be released to assist recovery efforts in Queensland and New South Wales after the storm subsides. Meanwhile, the cyclone's surf has drawn in surfers and spectators eager to ride the massive waves, even as the storm's dangers loom.
As of Friday afternoon, Cyclone Alfred was located approximately 80 miles off the coast of Brisbane, already causing complications with rising tides and flooding. The neighboring state of New South Wales has deemed nearly 29,000 homes at risk of flooding, with thousands of residents evacuated and power outages reported for about 38,000 individuals in the state and an additional 46,000 in Queensland.
As the cyclone swirls slowly westward at about 5 miles per hour, authorities are concerned that the prolonged rainfall and rising storm surges could worsen the impacts on vulnerable coastal communities. Lismore, a city still recovering from devastating floods in 2022, is one of the areas on high alert.
Already, powerful winds gusting up to 75 miles per hour have begun affecting the coastal areas, leading to warnings of dangerous flash flooding even before the cyclone officially makes landfall. This event marks a significant meteorological development as it's the first cyclone to approach southeastern Queensland since 1974, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.
In preparation for the storm, hundreds of schools, airports, and public transportation services have been suspended across southern Queensland and northern New South Wales. Grocery shelves are becoming increasingly empty as residents stock up on essentials and seek sandbags in preparation for the storm's advance.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that emergency federal funds will be released to assist recovery efforts in Queensland and New South Wales after the storm subsides. Meanwhile, the cyclone's surf has drawn in surfers and spectators eager to ride the massive waves, even as the storm's dangers loom.
