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Rare Cyclone Poses Unprecedented Threat to Australia’s East Coast. Millions of people across Australia’s eastern coast are bracing for Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the most southerly cyclone to threaten the region in over 50 years. The cyclone, packing winds equivalent to a Category 1 Atlantic hurricane, is expected to make landfall south of Brisbane early Friday, coinciding with high tide and increasing risks for emergency services. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the storm as a “rare event,” noting that southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales (NSW) are not typically classified as cyclone-prone areas. The last cyclone of similar strength to hit near Brisbane was Cyclone Zoe in 1974, which caused major flooding across the city and Northern Rivers region of NSW. Brisbane’s population has more than doubled since then, but the worst impacts could be felt along the popular beaches of the Gold Coast and northern NSW, experts warn. The cyclone is currently over 400 kilometers (250 miles) offshore with winds reaching 120 km/h (75 mph), according to the Bureau of Meteorology. In northern NSW, rivers are at risk of flooding, reviving memories of the devastating 2022 floods that left homes uninhabitable and forced residents into prolonged temporary housing. Brisbane residents have begun sandbagging homes and stockpiling essentials as officials warn that 20,000 properties could be affected by flash flooding and storm surges. Queensland authorities have closed beaches, issued evacuation orders, and canceled major events, while schools in impacted areas will shut down Thursday and Friday. With waves expected to reach over 5 meters (16 feet), and storm surges possibly reaching 10 meters (32 feet), authorities are urging coastal residents to take immediate precautions.
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