Cyclone Alfred Threatens Australia’s East Coast: What You Need to Know

A Dangerous Cyclone Looms Over Queensland and Northern NSW

A cyclone is barreling towards the east coast of Australia, with Cyclone Alfred expected to make landfall between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast as early as Thursday afternoon or as late as the early hours of Friday. Residents are bracing for the worst, with Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and northern parts of New South Wales, including Byron Bay, Lismore, and Grafton, directly in the cyclone’s crosshairs. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has warned that the system could bring torrential rain, flash flooding, and destructive winds, urging people to take immediate action to protect themselves and their homes.

Cyclone Alfred’s Expected Path and Flood Risk

The heaviest rainfall and most severe flash flooding are expected south of where Cyclone Alfred makes landfall. “The winds around a cyclone travel in a clockwise direction, so the heaviest winds and strongest rainfall occur on the southern flank of the system,” explains BoM senior meteorologist Kimba Wong. This means areas from Brisbane to the Gold Coast and into northern NSW are at the highest risk of extreme weather. Brisbane alone could receive up to 600 millimeters of rain from Wednesday evening onward, leading to potentially deadly flooding. The relentless downpour is expected to continue through Thursday, Friday, and the weekend, with river systems likely to swell dangerously.

Why Cyclone Alfred Is So Intense

Cyclone Alfred’s strength is fueled by warmer-than-usual water temperatures in the southern Coral Sea, which are hovering around 26 to 27 degrees—ideal conditions for a cyclone to gain power. The system is also being driven southward by an upper trough over eastern Australia. However, a shift in weather patterns, including the arrival of an upper ridge, is expected to steer the cyclone west toward the Queensland coast. “Once it moves further inland, it will likely weaken from a tropical cyclone into a tropical low, but those systems can still bring torrential rain,” Wong warns.

Queensland’s Emergency Preparedness Measures

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has urged residents to take the threat seriously, advising them to stock up on essentials like tinned food, prepare emergency kits, and secure their properties. Islanders in the bay off Brisbane are encouraged to evacuate while possible. The state government has also instructed telecommunications companies to boost network capacity to handle the expected surge in internet and messaging usage. Supermarkets are being asked to restock shelves regularly, as residents rush to buy bottled water and other essentials. Sandbagging stations have opened across Brisbane, with long queues forming as people prepare for the worst.

NSW Braces for the Impact

While Cyclone Alfred is expected to make landfall in Queensland, its effects will ripple south into northern NSW, particularly the Mid-North Coast and Northern Rivers regions. The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is deploying additional flood rescue and storm response teams to the area, which is still recovering from devastating floods in 2022. “We’re doing everything we can to prepare for this system,” said NSW Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib, acknowledging the trauma the region has endured. Communication equipment, support personnel, and specialized vehicles are being mobilized to assist affected communities.

Understanding Cyclone Alfred’s Power and Duration

Cyclone Alfred is classified as a category 2 cyclone, capable of generating destructive winds of 125 to 164 km/h. These winds can uproot trees, knock down power lines, and damage homes. However, the cyclone’s true danger lies in its rainfall and flooding potential, which can be just as devastating as its winds. Cyclone categories are based solely on wind strength and do not account for rain or flooding, meaning even a lower-category cyclone can cause catastrophic damage. As for how long Alfred will last, Wong says it depends on when it makes landfall and how quickly it moves inland. While it may weaken into a tropical low after landfall, it could still pose a flood risk through the weekend and into early next week. Residents are advised to remain vigilant and follow all safety instructions from authorities.