In brief
As Tropical Cyclone Alfred inches closer to Brisbane, authorities sound alarms about the forthcoming dangers, encouraging residents to prepare for the worst.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred poses a significant threat to Brisbane, the third-largest city in Australia, as it approaches the southeastern coastline. This cyclone is notable as it's the first to potentially make landfall in the region for decades. By midday Thursday, the storm was reported to be approximately 150 miles offshore, generating alarming wave heights and strong winds.Authorities are urging coastal residents, particularly those in vulnerable areas, to prepare for possible evacuations. An estimated 2.7 million people live in and around Brisbane, and many homes in low-lying zones face the risk of flooding due to the cyclone's impending impact. Wind gusts are expected to reach up to 95 miles per hour, with dangerous storm surges likely to inundate various parts of the coastal region. The Bureau of Meteorology has indicated that no cyclone has made landfall in Queensland's southeastern coast since 1974.In anticipation of the storm, over 900 schools and several airports have closed, while public transportation services are suspended in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales. Panic buying has seen supermarket aisles depleted as locals stock up on essentials and long lines form for sandbags following the cyclone's unexpected shift toward land.Despite the warnings, the coastal swell has attracted surfers and spectators eager to witness the cyclone's waves. The slow-moving nature of the cyclone could exacerbate conditions, extending rain periods and storm surges, especially in regions still recovering from previous floods, such as Lismore, where 22 lives were lost in 2022 due to flooding.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised to allocate federal emergency funds to assist Queensland and New South Wales with recovery efforts once the storm passes.
