Evacuation warnings as delayed Tropical Cyclone Alfred starts to lash coast

Urgent Flood Evacuation Warnings Issued as Tropical Cyclone Alfred Bears Down on Northern NSW

Residents in northern New South Wales are bracing for severe weather conditions as Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches the coastline. The category 2 storm, which was initially expected to make landfall early on Friday morning, has delayed its arrival by 15 hours, prolonging the threat of extreme weather. Emergency services are urging those in the storm’s direct path to prepare for immediate evacuation as the western edge of Cyclone Alfred begins to impact the region.

As of Thursday morning, Cyclone Alfred was located approximately 325 kilometres east of Brisbane and 300 kilometres east of the Gold Coast. The Bureau of Meteorology has revised its forecast, predicting that the storm will now make landfall between Maroochydore in Queensland and Coolangatta, near the NSW-Queensland border, around 5pm (AEDT) on Friday. In Queensland, landfall is expected slightly earlier, at 4pm local time, due to the one-hour time difference between the two states.

Cyclone Alfred is expected to remain a category 2 storm as it moves toward the coast, with sustained winds of up to 95 km/h and destructive gusts reaching as high as 130 km/h near its centre. The system also poses a significant threat of a dangerous storm tide, with destructive winds of up to 155 km/h potentially affecting areas as far south as Cape Byron. These conditions have prompted emergency services to issue extensive flood evacuation warnings, particularly for coastal and low-lying areas.

Intense Rainfall and Deteriorating Conditions Expected

Weather conditions in northern NSW are expected to deteriorate rapidly on Thursday afternoon and evening as Cyclone Alfred draws closer. The region is bracing for unprecedented rainfall, with some parts of the state’s north-east forecast to receive up to 800 mm of rain from Wednesday to Saturday. Other areas could see sustained rainfall of up to 600 mm, leading to flash flooding and riverine flooding.

The delayed landfall of Cyclone Alfred has also raised concerns about the timing of the storm’s impact. Initially, the storm was predicted to cross the coast early on Friday morning, coinciding with high tide at 1am (AEDT). This would have resulted in dangerous storm surges, creating a potentially catastrophic combination of flooding, strong winds, and coastal erosion. While the delayed landfall may reduce the immediate risk of a storm surge during high tide, the prolonged duration of extreme weather conditions remains a significant concern.

A Rare and Dangerous Weather Event

The severity of Cyclone Alfred has drawn comparisons to past weather events, with NSW SES Commissioner Mike Wassing describing the situation as “three natural disaster events in one.” The storm combines the destructive power of a tropical cyclone, the inundation of heavy rainfall, and the danger of a storm surge, creating a scenario not seen in NSW since Tropical Cyclone Nancy in 1990.

Emergency services are urging residents in affected areas to remain vigilant and follow evacuation orders promptly. The delayed landfall of Cyclone Alfred has given authorities and residents additional time to prepare, but the extends of the storm’s impact remains unpredictable. As the storm continues to approach, the focus remains on safeguarding lives and property in the face of this unprecedented weather event.