Tropical Cyclone Alfred made landfall off the coast of Queensland as a Category 1 system, bringing with it destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and widespread damage across Southeast Queensland and Northern New South Wales.
The cyclone, which tracked north-west, had its first major impact just before 6 pm on Friday when an emergency alert was issued for Moreton Island, advising residents to take shelter immediately as the storm’s intensity increased. Cyclone Alfred brought wind gusts of up to 125 km/h to exposed coastal areas, including the northern Gold Coast, and continued to move further north, expected to cross north of Brisbane later today.
Key Impacts:
- Power Outages: Over 202,700 homes were left without power across Queensland’s south-east, with the situation expected to worsen. Emergency services have reported over 300 calls from affected regions, and power restoration could take several days due to widespread damage to infrastructure.
- Flooding and Rescues: Torrential rainfall and flash flooding have led to significant damage and several rescues across both Queensland and New South Wales. Authorities have recorded more than 4,250 incidents in New South Wales, including a number of water rescues. Tragically, a man was washed into floodwaters on Friday afternoon while crossing Wild Cattle Creek near Dorrigo, New South Wales. Despite being rescued initially, he was swept away by the current and remains missing.
- Evacuation Orders: Dozens of communities in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales have been placed under evacuation orders. Authorities are urging residents in flood-prone areas to seek higher ground immediately to avoid the full force of the storm.
Travel and Event Disruptions:
Event Cancellations: With the cyclone’s ongoing impacts, several public events, including sporting competitions and concerts, have been canceled or rescheduled to ensure public safety.
Storm Surges and Erosion: The storm’s surge has already caused significant damage along the coast. Locals on the Gold Coast have reported erosion along parts of the coastline, with some areas experiencing the loss of beaches.
