Residents of Queensland and NSW Prepare for Rare Tropical Cyclone Alfred
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Synopsis
Residents across southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales are gearing up for Tropical Cyclone Alfred, expected to make landfall on Thursday. This storm is the first to hit the region since 1974, raising concerns about flooding and damage.
Key Takeaways
- Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to make landfall on Thursday.
- Residents have been warned of potential power outages lasting at least three days.
- Over 4 million people are under formal warnings from the BOM.
- Brisbane's infrastructure is particularly vulnerable to flooding.
- Authorities are distributing sandbags to help mitigate flooding risks.
Sydney, March 4 (NationPress) Communities throughout southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales (NSW) are gearing up for the first tropical cyclone expected to make direct landfall on Thursday. This will be the first such event in the region since two rare cyclones struck these Australian states in 1974.
As of early Tuesday, Tropical Cyclone Alfred was positioned 560 km east of Brisbane and was moving southeast at approximately 6 km/h, as per the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).
While several storms have skirted the area, Alfred is predicted to have a direct impact, resulting in severe consequences such as widespread flooding, strong winds, and dangerous ocean conditions.
Despite being downgraded from a category one to a category two cyclone, which is still significantly less intense than many cyclones affecting northern Australia, the storm's trajectory over a heavily populated area has raised concerns about its potential effects, according to experts.
Cyclone Alfred has been lingering off the Queensland coast, creating rough seas and fierce winds that pose a threat to coastal zones. The weather system has strengthened and is anticipated to sharply turn towards the densely populated southeastern regions of Queensland by Tuesday afternoon, according to BOM.
If the current path holds, Alfred could present a significant challenge for officials in Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, which is home to 2.5 million people and is particularly vulnerable to severe flooding. However, the forecasted path may change in the upcoming days.
Millions of residents have been warned to prepare for power outages lasting at least three days upon Alfred's arrival, with predictions of up to 400 mm of rainfall and wind speeds reaching 130 km/h.
Residents in northern Australia are typically familiar with cyclones, which often bring destructive winds, heavy rain, and severe flooding.
More than four million people in southeast Queensland and northeast NSW have received formal warnings from BOM.
Brisbane has endured significant flooding three times in the last 15 years. Unlike northern Queensland, where cyclone preparations are commonplace, residents in the city are generally less experienced with such storms, and many older homes dating back to the early 1900s are particularly susceptible to extreme weather.
Research following the 2022 floods in Queensland and NSW revealed that half of the residents recognized they could have been better prepared, stated Andrew Gissing, CEO of Natural Hazards Research Australia (NHRA).
Proactive preparation can mitigate damage and enhance safety; however, NHRA studies indicate that many individuals do not fully understand what is necessary for complete readiness, Gissing noted.
"If your residence was built before 1980, it might not comply with current building codes and is at a high risk from strong winds. Caravans and cabins are especially vulnerable, while fallen trees could damage power lines leading to blackouts and broader disruptions," he advised, urging residents to take cyclone threats seriously.
Some sports facilities in Queensland have shut down due to the severe weather. The Queensland Tennis Center in Brisbane has temporarily closed while they install floodgates in anticipation of the expected heavy rains.
Surfers Paradise, a coastal resort on Queensland's Gold Coast, has also closed and swimming has been restricted.
Schools have sent notifications to parents and communities regarding disaster management protocols and preparations for potential school closures based on emergency services' recommendations, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Brisbane Mayor Adrian Schrinner announced that 74,000 sandbags have been distributed, representing an unprecedented event in the city’s history, with residents from across southeast Queensland waiting in line for hours to collect them, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
