Australia's east coast is bracing for severe impacts as Tropical Cyclone Alfred intensifies to Category 2, expected to make landfall between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast on Thursday night, March 6, 2025, or early Friday, March 7, 2025. This cyclone poses serious threats of severe flooding and destructive winds, alarming officials and prompting evacuations across various regions.
The Foreign Office updated its travel advice for affected areas, including Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, southeast Queensland, and northern New South Wales. With projections indicating potential rainfall amounts between 300 and 600 mm, some areas might experience up to 700 mm. Wind gusts are anticipated to exceed 120 km/h, causing coastal erosion and flash flooding.
The Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, urged residents to please be prepared and stock up on canned food and bottled water. He emphasized the need to take the situation seriously, stating, We're dealing with a very heavily populated part of the state, and this region hasn’t seen a cyclone for many years, even decades, getting this close to the coast.
New South Wales State Emergency Service assistant commissioner Dean Storey cautioned residents about damaging winds and the potential for major flooding. The impacts of the cyclone may be felt from early this week with damaging winds, large powerful surf, and coastal erosion, followed by intense heavy rainfall starting Wednesday, he said.
What makes Cyclone Alfred particularly notable is its unusual southern path, which raises concerns about the impact on regions typically safe from cyclone threats. Associate Professor Iftekhar Ahmed from the University of Newcastle pointed out, Cyclone Alfred is predicted to impact northern NSW, which is not usually at risk for cyclones. The last cyclone warning here was over 50 years ago.
This divergence from typical cyclone behavior has caught the attention of scientists. Dr. Tom Mortlock, Head of Climate Analytics at Aon, highlighted concerns over climate change, indicating, We are witnessing tropical cyclones reaching unusual territories. With the ocean temperatures warm enough to sustain tropical cyclones extending down to Sydney, we are entering new territory.
Major airlines have responded to the cyclone's threat, offering passengers fee-free cancellations and changes for flights to or from affected airports between March 4 and 9, 2025. Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia have all implemented flexible travel policies for those flying to impacted areas, allowing passengers to reschedule their flights or receive travel credits.
Sporting events have also felt the repercussions of Cyclone Alfred’s approach. The WPGA Championship on the Gold Coast has been canceled, as has the opening match of the AFL season between the Brisbane Lions and Geelong Cats. An AFL representative noted, Out of an abundance of caution, the AFL made the decision now to prioritize the health and safety of everyone involved, including the wider community.
The Gold Coast’s acting mayor, Donna Gates, expressed heightened concern, asserting, Troprical Cyclone Alfred is expected to be the most significant storm system since 1954. She urged residents to brace for gales and heavy rain, which are expected to continue through the weekend.
Voluntary evacuations have already commenced for areas at high risk of flooding, with officials advising residents to leave before conditions deteriorate. The acting Queensland police commissioner, Shane Chelepy, emphasized the urgency of making leaving decisions before the cyclone strikes.
Also, the Bureau of Meteorology reported the possibility of abnormal storm surges resulting in tides half a meter above normal, which could lead to minor flooding along the coast from Sandy Cape to Yamba until at least March 9.
Heavy rain and high winds are expected to exacerbate the risk of floods, aerial warnings have been issued, and emergency services are on high alert as the cyclone draw nearer.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches as regions anticipate its fallout, bringing alarm and urgency to communities across southeastern Queensland and northeastern New South Wales. Residents are urged to stay informed of weather updates and prepare accordingly, as the weather pattern evolves on the eve of what could be one of the most destructive storms seen in decades.