In brief
Tropical Cyclone Alfred is set to impact Queensland and New South Wales, prompting evacuation orders for 15,000 residents and leaving tens of thousands without power. The cyclone, expected to make landfall near Brisbane, has already resulted in damaging winds and flooding.
As Tropical Cyclone Alfred heads toward Australia’s eastern coast, officials have mandated evacuations for approximately 15,000 residents, especially in Queensland and New South Wales. The cyclone, projected to make landfall near Queensland's capital, Brisbane, is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds, with gusts reaching up to 75 mph. By Friday afternoon, Alfred was roughly 80 miles offshore, already generating high tides and causing localized flooding. Local authorities indicated that 29,000 properties in New South Wales may be at risk, with more than 38,000 residents without power. This severe storm could lead to life-threatening flash floods, particularly in areas that faced devastating floods in previous years.Alfred's slow progression westward, at about 5 mph, may prolong heavy rainfall and exacerbate coastal surges. Areas such as Lismore, previously struck by catastrophic floods in 2022, are under heightened alert. With Alfred bearing down, hundreds of schools and several airports have closed, and public transportation services have been suspended. Citizens are facing shortages of essential supplies as grocery stores experience runouts and residents line up for sandbags in preparation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged emergency federal assistance for affected states in the wake of this unprecedented storm, marking the first tropical cyclone to hit Queensland's southeastern coast since 1974.
