In brief
Tropical Cyclone Alfred's impending landfall is prompting major evacuations and power outages across southern Queensland and northern New South Wales, with forecasters warning of potential flash floods and severe weather.
At least 15,000 individuals have been ordered to evacuate their homes as the storm, projected to make landfall near Brisbane, threatens to impact a significant portion of Australia’s eastern coastline. Cyclone Alfred was situated approximately 80 miles from Brisbane, where it is expected to arrive late Saturday morning. Many areas are already reeling from destructive winds busting up to 75 miles per hour and tidal surges that have led to rising floodwaters. In light of the situation, officials have reported that around 29,000 homes in New South Wales are at risk of flooding while about 38,000 customers remain without power in the region. Likewise, Queensland has noted an additional 46,000 people facing similar outages.The slow-moving storm, advancing at a pace of roughly 5 miles per hour, is expected to prolong rainfall and further intensify its surges, significantly raising the stakes for coastal communities. Lismore is particularly vulnerable, recalling the catastrophic floods that claimed 22 lives there in 2022.In preparation, a wave of precautions has been initiated in anticipation of the cyclone, including closures of hundreds of schools and multiple airports and a halt to public transportation services. Stores have seen heightened activity from residents stocking up on essential supplies, and sandbags have become a hot commodity.Even as authorities caution against the tempest's approach, some surfers have flocked to the coast to seize the cyclone's powerful swells, illustrating a mix of apprehension and thrill among Australians facing the fury of nature.With the anticipated impact, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged to allocate emergency federal funds to support Queensland and New South Wales' recovery efforts post-storm, indicating the challenges awaiting communities as they brace for Cyclone Alfred's arrival.
