Alfred’s Close Call: A Storm That Tested Southeast Queensland’s Resilience

The Storm’s Arrival and Unexpected Path

By the time Alfred made its way into Moreton Bay, the storm system had already taken an unexpected turn. After passing over Moreton Island around 1 a.m. on Saturday, Alfred shifted course, veering north as a low-pressure system rather than maintaining its initial trajectory. For many residents in Brisbane and surrounding areas, the feared destructive winds did not materialize. Instead, the city experienced what Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner described as a “strong breeze and a bit of rain.” By Saturday morning, Schrinner declared that Brisbane had “dodged a bullet,” a sentiment shared by many who had braced for the worst. The city’s relief was palpable, but the storm’s impact was far from over.

A Tale of Two Regions: Uneven Damage Across the South-East

While Brisbane emerged relatively unscathed, not all areas were as fortunate. The Gold Coast, despite being further from the storm’s core, bore the brunt of Alfred’s fury. In Labrador, a unit block lost its roof, and downed trees across the south-east caused significant damage to homes, cars, and powerlines. Over 250,000 homes and businesses were plunged into darkness, a stark reminder of the storm’s lingering effects. However, the extent of the damage was not as catastrophic as initially feared. Property destruction was limited, and the region narrowly escaped the widespread devastation that had been anticipated.

Flooding Fears and the Lingering Threat of Alfred

Even as the storm began to subside, Southeast Queenslanders were reminded that the danger was far from over. Heavy rain was forecast for the coming days, raising the specter of dangerous flooding – a threat all too familiar to the region. The memory of past disasters, such as the 2011 floods that displaced thousands and claimed 35 lives, weighed heavily on the minds of residents. Though Alfred did not replicate the sheer destruction of those events, the risk of flooding served as a grim reminder of nature’s unpredictability.

A Leader’s Calm in the Eye of the Storm

Premier David Crisafulli, just four months into his tenure, approached Alfred with a calm and composed demeanor. Unlike the traumatic events of 2011, which required then-Premier Anna Bligh to rally the state with emotional speeches, Crisafulli’s matter-of-fact communication style provided reassurance without resorting to drama. His background growing up in cyclone-prone Townsville likely influenced his pragmatic approach to crisis management. Yet, Crisafulli acknowledged the novelty of the experience for many in the densely populated south-east, who were encountering their first cyclone.

Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Despite the challenges posed by Alfred, the people of Southeast Queensland demonstrated remarkable resilience. Crisafulli praised residents for their preparedness and cooperation, noting that they had “done exactly what was needed” during the storm’s passage. While the region had dodged the worst of Alfred’s wrath, the Premier urged caution, emphasizing that the coming days would test their resolve once more. Flooding remained a significant concern, but Crisafulli expressed confidence in the community’s ability to rise to the occasion, as they had so many times before.

Lessons Learned and a Cautious Optimism

As Alfred’s impact began to recede, the region collectively exhaled. The storm had not been the catastrophe many feared, but it served as a poignant reminder of Queensland’s vulnerability to extreme weather events. Compared to the devastation of 2011 and the record-breaking rains of 2022, Alfred’s relatively contained destruction offered a measure of relief. Yet, the experience underscored the importance of preparedness and the enduring strength of the Queensland spirit. As the state moved forward, the focus shifted to recovery, reconstruction, and the timeless truth that resilience is not just a word – but a way of life.