Slow-Moving Storm Likely to Make Landfall on Friday or Early Saturday, Winds Already Trigger Power Disruptions
Tropical Cyclone Alfred has begun to batter Australia’s eastern coast, bringing heavy rainfall and record-breaking waves to a densely populated region that rarely experiences such storms. The cyclone has already prompted evacuation orders in some areas.
Schools have been closed, and public transport services have been suspended as the region prepares for the first cyclone to hit eastern Australia since 1974.
As of Thursday afternoon, Alfred was located 250 km (155 miles) east of Brisbane. However, government forecasts warned that its “erratic” movement toward the mainland is becoming increasingly difficult to predict.
Initially expected to make landfall late Thursday, the slow-moving storm—progressing at just 7 km/h (4 mph)—is now more likely to strike late Friday or early Saturday.
The cyclone has already caused significant damage. Essential Energy, the power company, reported that approximately 10,000 homes and businesses in northern New South Wales (NSW) lost power on Thursday afternoon after strong winds knocked down trees and damaged power lines.
The NSW State Emergency Service has issued evacuation orders for parts of the state due to potential flooding by 9 pm (11:00 GMT) on Thursday.
More than four million people are in the storm’s path along a 400 km (250-mile) stretch of coastline expected to bear the brunt of the cyclone.
“We’re already seeing gales developing on the coastal fringe,” said Sarah Scully, a forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology, in an interview with AFP. “There have been very large waves and powerful swells. That’s generated by Alfred lingering in the Coral Sea and creating a lot of wave energy.”
A massive 12.4-meter (40-foot) wave was recorded on the Gold Coast south of Brisbane—the largest swell ever detected by that monitoring station.
Despite the dangers, some daring surfers paddled out to ride the powerful waves, ignoring the threat of US$10,000 fines for “reckless behavior.”
“I am just staggered that people would be so stupid. It is a huge act of stupidity,” said acting Gold Coast Mayor Donna Gates.
The weather bureau predicts that Alfred will make landfall near Brisbane, Australia’s third-largest city.
“There’s a lot of people in harm’s way here. We’re talking about something like four and a half million Australians,” said federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
While cyclones are common in the tropical waters off Australia’s northern coast, they rarely form in the cooler waters further south.
Researchers have repeatedly warned that climate change exacerbates the risk of natural disasters, including bushfires, floods, and cyclones.
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