Brisbane on High Alert as Rare Cyclone Alfred Sparks Mass Evacuations
Residents along Australia’s east coast are bracing for impact as Tropical Cyclone Alfred barrels toward Brisbane, threatening devastating winds, flooding rains, and towering waves. Emergency services have issued urgent evacuation warnings, with nearly 20,000 homes at risk in Brisbane alone.
The cyclone, expected to make landfall on Friday morning, is the first of its kind to hit the region in over 50 years. With wind speeds equivalent to a Category 1 Atlantic hurricane, the storm’s arrival at high tide could worsen flooding and create dangerous storm surges.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli urged residents to take evacuation plans seriously. “If you’re in a storm tide zone or a flood-prone area, now is the time to act,” he cautioned. Meanwhile, authorities have ordered the closure of over 700 schools, and major airlines, including Qantas and Virgin, have canceled flights ahead of the storm.
While thousands scramble to protect their homes, thrill-seeking surfers have taken to the five-meter waves whipped up by the storm. “It’s a rare chance to ride waves this big in Byron Bay,” said local surfer Jim Regan.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned that Alfred’s unexpected U-turn toward the coast could intensify its impact. Emergency services have urged residents to relocate immediately as the cyclone threatens widespread flooding and destruction.
Climate experts believe the increasing reach of cyclones into non-tropical regions could be linked to global warming, reinforcing the urgent need for disaster preparedness in unexpected locations.
