BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Tropical Cyclone Alfred weakened significantly on Saturday, March 8, 2025, transforming from cyclone status to a tropical low as it approached Brisbane, Australia’s third-most populous city. Originally anticipated to cross the east Australian coast near Queensland, this storm system, now classified to carry sustained winds of less than 63 kph (39 mph), has raised concerns about severe flooding across the region.
Despite the storm's weakening, its impacts were far from negligible. Matt Collopy, manager of the Bureau of Meteorology, highlighted the persistent danger, stating, "Heavy-to-locally intense rainfall leading to flash and riverine flooding now becomes the major concern as the ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred moves inland." The threat of flooding escalated as the system was predicted to cross the coast north of Brisbane, particularly between Bribie Island and the Sunshine Coast.
Tragically, the storm has already claimed its first life. A 61-year-old man was swept away by floodwaters from a swollen river near Dorrigo, New South Wales. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shared the sorrowful news, posting, "Tragic news out of New South Wales this evening with confirmation a man has died in floodwaters near Dorrigo. Our thoughts are with his loved ones and the community at this heartbreaking time." Albanese also warned residents to brace for worse conditions, saying, "We must remain vigilant. This is a very serious weather event." He emphasized the need for safety precautions as the storm's impacts would intensify through the day and subsequent days.
The storm's approach led to emergency evacuations, including one incident where 21 people were removed from an apartment building at Gold Coast after it lost its roof on Friday night, March 7. Fortunately, the woman who sustained injuries was reported to have only minor injuries. On the broader scale, the storm knocked out power to more than 330,000 homes and businesses across Queensland and New South Wales. The Gold Coast area saw the greatest impact, with 131,000 premises left without electricity and wind gusts exceeding 107 kph (66 mph) during the storm.
Local officials and residents reported systemic destruction around Brisbane’s coastal areas as the storm’s high winds felled trees and damaged numerous properties. Natalie Garreta, visiting from Sao Paolo, expressed relief at being able to connect with family, remarking, "At least we could tell our families we’re all right." She noted the once-broad beaches had transformed drastically, stating, "We’ve never seen such weather at the coast. The erosion has created steep sandy cliffs several meters high, and it’s shocking to witness this change."
The Queensland Premier, David Crisafulli, did express gratitude during press briefings for the fact the system had not yet caused significant storm tide inundation affecting homes. He stated, "To have no homes reported ...that have had storm tide inundation is really tremendous." This pivotal moment highlighted the apparent favorable timing of the storm's landfall, as Crisafulli noted the risk was mitigated by the absence of high tide coinciding with the storm peak.
Emergency services were stretched thin, conducting 29 flood rescues across northern New South Wales, with many incidents involving vehicles attempting to traverse flooded roads, according to local police. While one life was tragically claimed by the flooding, it was noted to be the only failure among these rescues, highlighting both the responsiveness of emergency teams and the inherent dangers posed by the storm.
Meteorologists reiterated the rarity of such cyclonic events impacting Brisbane directly. Phil Klotzbach from Colorado State University pointed out, "No hurricane-strength cyclones have tracked within 80 kilometers (50 miles) of Brisbane on record.” Kristen Corbosiero, from the University at Albany, echoed this sentiment, adding, "It’s unusual but not unprecedented for tropical systems like Alfred to threaten this area." The possibility for substantial rainfall accumulation remains, as experts still caution tremendous flooding potential due to the cyclone's slow moving nature.
With the storm stalling off Brisbane's coast for several hours before tracking inland on Saturday and leading to anticipated heavy rainfall, the greatest framework for flooding looms. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns articulated the current challenges: "The rivers are full and the rain is continuing and expected to keep falling in the days ahead. Wind conditions are very high and extreme, particularly on the coast, particularly in the Byron Shire right up to the Queensland border."
All told, the impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, now downgraded to tropical low status, presents serious risks for eastern Australia. With significant flooding expected, local authorities remain on alert and have urged residents to prepare for the impending threats posed by the continuing severe weather system. Officials stress the importance of staying safe, taking precautions, and staying informed as the storm progresses through Queensland and New South Wales.