Australia Braces for Cyclone Alfred: Thousands Ordered to Evacuate

Sydney, Australia:  Thousands of residents along Australia’s east coast have been ordered to evacuate as Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches, bringing heavy rains, powerful winds, and massive waves. Expected to make landfall as a Category 2 storm north of Brisbane, Alfred has already caused power outages, beach erosion, and airport closures.

Wind gusts exceeding 100 kph have battered the coastal regions of Queensland and New South Wales, while more than 20,000 homes in the Gold Coast remain without power. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli warned that the worst impact could come from torrential rain, increasing the risk of flooding.

With over 400 mm of rain already recorded in northern New South Wales, business owners in flood-prone towns like Lismore are scrambling to protect their properties. Brisbane Airport has shut down operations, public transport has been suspended, and over 1,000 schools across the affected states have closed.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged residents to stay indoors, stating, “This isn’t a time for sightseeing. Be safe and sensible.” He also confirmed the deployment of 120 defence personnel to assist in rescue and relief operations.

Officials have called Alfred a “very rare event” for Brisbane, which last faced a cyclone in 1974.