Tropical Cyclone Alfred makes landfall, warnings issued

Tropical Cyclone Alfred slows, nearing Queensland coast, prompting evacuations, school closures, and warnings for significant flooding impacts.

In Short

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to make landfall on Australia’s east coast this weekend, prompting evacuations due to fears of coastal flooding. This is the first cyclone to impact southeast Queensland in 50 years, with significant effects already being felt along the coast.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is on track to make landfall late Friday or early Saturday on Australia’s east coast.

Residents in the danger zone have been advised to evacuate quickly as fears of coastal flooding intensify.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) reported that Cyclone Alfred has slowed down, now moving west at 7 km/h.

While it was initially expected to hit as early as Thursday, forecasts now suggest it will cross the coast between Coolangatta and Maroochydore, with Brisbane situated within that zone.

This marks the first cyclone to impact southeast Queensland in 50 years.

As of early Thursday, Cyclone Alfred was categorised as a category 2 system, located 365 kilometres east of Brisbane and 340 kilometres northeast of the Gold Coast.

Concerns remain that it could escalate to category 3.

The BOM noted that the cyclone’s western edge is already causing significant effects along the coast, particularly from Coolangatta to Ballina in New South Wales.