Residents of southeastern Queensland have been urged to brace for the potential impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred as it moves toward the coast, with heavy rainfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding being major concerns.
Forecasts indicate Alfred could make landfall as early as Thursday, with the system expected to reach category two strength before impacting regions, including Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Premier David Crisafulli emphasized the importance of preparedness for residents, advising them to stockpile supplies as the cyclone approaches.
"[A] tropical cyclone warning is not currently in place, but it's expected to happen within the coming days," Crisafulli stated during a press conference, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding exactly where and when the cyclone will hit.
Despite the storm being detected 370 kilometers northeast of Bundaberg on Sunday afternoon, meteorological reports project its westward drift toward the Queensland coast could lead to hazardous weather conditions as soon as Wednesday evening.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), parts of Queensland, from St George to Gladstone and as far south as Byron Bay, will experience destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and the risk of coastal inundation. The weather bureau also predicts rainfall amounts of up to 600 millimeters could occur over several days, greatly increasing the risk of flash flooding.
Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Adrian Schrinner, echoed Crisafulli's sentiments, encouraging residents to take necessary precautions, such as trimming tree branches and securing loose items to reduce the likelihood of damage. "While it's incredibly uncommon, there's currently a very real threat of significant cyclone impacts for southeast Queensland," he noted.
Flash flooding poses life-threatening risks, especially along rivers and creeks, with flood watches already issued for various regions, including the Mary River, Noosa River, and parts of the Brisbane River.
The cyclone's current movement at 12 kilometers per hour indicates it's slowly heading south-southeast, with potential to gain strength again before making landfall. The latest forecasts suggest areas from Bundaberg down to the Gold Coast should remain alert and updated on the changing weather situation as officials continue to monitor the system.
"Everything is lining up to suggest the potential for severe impacts on the coast," said Matthew Collopy from the BoM, noting strong gusty winds could be recorded near the cyclone's center.
For now, the Bureau's advisories include hazardous surf warnings for coastal areas, with large waves expected to continue impacting shorelines and contributing to serious beach erosion over the following days.
Campers on K'gari (Fraser Island) have already been advised to evacuate, following the recommendation from authorities, with rising wave heights being recorded as evidence of the cyclone's developing impact on coastal regions.
Brisbane Lions players have taken note of the developing weather situation, with their seasoned AFL competitor, Josh Dunkley, emphasizing the team's focus on maintaining the correct mentality as they prepare for their season opener against Geelong. Dunkley acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating, "Mentality is a choice and we have a choice."
With the storm looming near the coast, it remains to be seen whether the football match scheduled for Thursday will proceed as planned, depending on the cyclone's actual path and strength leading up to game day.
The situation surrounding Tropical Cyclone Alfred will continue to evolve and the residents of Queensland are urged to stay informed and ready as they prepare for potentially life-threatening conditions later this week.