Tropical Cyclone Alfred is projected to make landfall on Friday evening or Saturday morning, bringing damaging winds and heavy rain to South East Queensland and northern NSW.
Alfred is predicted to hit as a Category 2 cyclone, causing coastal erosion and dangerous ocean conditions.
On Wednesday, Acting Gold Coast Mayor Donna Gates said: “This looks like the most significant event in our city in terms of destructive winds and heavy rain... since 1954.”
Map issued at 11am on 6 March by the Bureau of Meteorology
Cyclones
Tropical cyclones are ranked in severity from category 1 (weakest) to 5 (strongest).
As a Category 2 cyclone, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) says Alfred is expected to bring wind gusts of up to 164km/h, which could damage “signs, trees and caravans.”
The BOM also says Alfred has slowed as it moves towards the Qld coast, bringing heavy rains until the weekend.
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Arrival
On Thursday, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said: “Exactly where [Alfred] will hit and when still remains unknown.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the system’s delayed arrival means “the window for destruction in our community... is longer than we would have otherwise liked”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “A risk is of course that, by slowing up, [the cyclone] will increase in its intensity and at this stage it is still predicted to be category 2 as it crosses onto land.”
Local response
Many schools, some supermarkets and public transport across South East Queensland and northern NSW have closed in preparation for the cyclone. Communities in both states have been urged to stock up on sandbags and to organise a plan.
Minns announced on Thursday that 2,000 State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers have been deployed to NSW’s Northern Rivers region.
Crisafulli said on Wednesday: “If someone tells you to leave, leave.”
