As Australia faces the potential consequences from Cyclone Alfred, authorities have ramped up warnings for heavy flooding and dangerous conditions in the coming days.
**Australia Braces for Severe Weather as Cyclone Alfred Downgraded**
**Australia Braces for Severe Weather as Cyclone Alfred Downgraded**
Heavy rainfall and flooding are expected to affect Queensland and New South Wales as emergency services prepare for Cyclone Alfred's aftermath.
In Southern Queensland, a tropical storm is set to make landfall this Saturday morning, with tens of thousands of residents evacuated and over 230,000 households experiencing power outages. Originally classified as Cyclone Alfred, the storm has since been downgraded to a tropical low, with wind speeds predicted to reach up to 85 km/h, significantly less than initial projections.
The Bureau of Meteorology has announced that the storm is currently positioned off Bribie Island and is inching northward, anticipated to make landfall between Bribie Island and Maroochydore. Authorities have explicitly urged residents to remain indoors, enacting fines for beachgoers, as heavy rain and flooding are still expected to wreak havoc.
On Saturday morning, senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury informed ABC News Breakfast of the risks posed by the storm, indicating, "Our 24-hour rainfall totals could easily exceed 200mm or more over the next couple of days as that system slows and moves inland." The situation has already resulted in widespread flash flooding, with ongoing severe weather alerts in place.
A concerning report from the New South Wales police noted a man missing after his vehicle was caught in a fast-flowing river due to storm effects. The storm threatens the safety of approximately four million residents across Queensland and Northern New South Wales. The storm's slow and erratic movement has raised concerns regarding flash flooding particularly in low-lying areas.
Stephen Valentine, a Logan City resident south of Brisbane, described his family's preparations, including stockpiling water and food and creating safe spaces away from windows. "At the moment, we are as prepared as we can be for something that none of us have been through," Valentine said. He noted that while Queensland is familiar with cyclones, such a storm has not progressed so far south in his lifetime.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed sentiments of resilience among Australians during this challenging time, stating, "These are tough times, but Australians are tough people." The rare occurrence of the cyclone has led to the closure of nearly 1,000 schools, suspension of public transport, and airport shutdowns, with flights expected to resume no earlier than Sunday. Elective surgeries have also been cancelled in anticipation of the storm's impact.
With the region still feeling the effects of prior flooding in February 2022, preparations took precedence as local councils opened sandbag depots to assist residents in safeguarding their properties. "It’s surreal. We know it’s coming, but it’s very quiet," remarked Anthony Singh, a West End resident. Community efforts have led to the shoveling of over 140 tonnes of sand to aid sandbag collection.
Despite the dire warnings and restrictions, some die-hard surfers have taken to Kirra beach. Jeff Weatherall expressed enthusiasm for the waves, saying, "This is what we look forward to," while noting the balance between enjoying the surf and acknowledging the potential damage from the storm. Prime Minister Albanese urged caution, reminding citizens to take the cyclone warnings seriously and prioritize safety. "This isn’t a time for sightseeing or experiencing these conditions firsthand," he stressed.
The Bureau of Meteorology has announced that the storm is currently positioned off Bribie Island and is inching northward, anticipated to make landfall between Bribie Island and Maroochydore. Authorities have explicitly urged residents to remain indoors, enacting fines for beachgoers, as heavy rain and flooding are still expected to wreak havoc.
On Saturday morning, senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury informed ABC News Breakfast of the risks posed by the storm, indicating, "Our 24-hour rainfall totals could easily exceed 200mm or more over the next couple of days as that system slows and moves inland." The situation has already resulted in widespread flash flooding, with ongoing severe weather alerts in place.
A concerning report from the New South Wales police noted a man missing after his vehicle was caught in a fast-flowing river due to storm effects. The storm threatens the safety of approximately four million residents across Queensland and Northern New South Wales. The storm's slow and erratic movement has raised concerns regarding flash flooding particularly in low-lying areas.
Stephen Valentine, a Logan City resident south of Brisbane, described his family's preparations, including stockpiling water and food and creating safe spaces away from windows. "At the moment, we are as prepared as we can be for something that none of us have been through," Valentine said. He noted that while Queensland is familiar with cyclones, such a storm has not progressed so far south in his lifetime.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed sentiments of resilience among Australians during this challenging time, stating, "These are tough times, but Australians are tough people." The rare occurrence of the cyclone has led to the closure of nearly 1,000 schools, suspension of public transport, and airport shutdowns, with flights expected to resume no earlier than Sunday. Elective surgeries have also been cancelled in anticipation of the storm's impact.
With the region still feeling the effects of prior flooding in February 2022, preparations took precedence as local councils opened sandbag depots to assist residents in safeguarding their properties. "It’s surreal. We know it’s coming, but it’s very quiet," remarked Anthony Singh, a West End resident. Community efforts have led to the shoveling of over 140 tonnes of sand to aid sandbag collection.
Despite the dire warnings and restrictions, some die-hard surfers have taken to Kirra beach. Jeff Weatherall expressed enthusiasm for the waves, saying, "This is what we look forward to," while noting the balance between enjoying the surf and acknowledging the potential damage from the storm. Prime Minister Albanese urged caution, reminding citizens to take the cyclone warnings seriously and prioritize safety. "This isn’t a time for sightseeing or experiencing these conditions firsthand," he stressed.
