Cyclone Alfred, an unusual storm veering south of its typical trajectory, poses a significant threat to Queensland, with Brisbane potentially in its path. Authorities are urging preparedness as the cyclone is predicted to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds, raising concerns about flooding in the heavily populated southeast coast.
People are bracing for wild weather as the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) predicts Cyclone Alfred will hit Queensland later this week, with the state's capital, Brisbane , in its projected path. On Sunday morning, the cyclone veered south, moving below the Tropic of Capricorn, an unusual trajectory for a typical cyclone heading north.
Forecasters anticipate Alfred will linger, slowly progressing south until Tuesday, before taking a sudden, unpredictable turn back towards the densely populated southeast Queensland coast. Landfall is expected between K'gari (Fraser Island) and the Gold Coast, a significant stretch of coastline encompassing heavily populated areas with approximately 4 million residents, including the city of Brisbane. The BOM's current tracking data doesn't extend to Thursday, and it's common for a cyclone's projected path to be revised frequently before it reaches the coast.The fact that Alfred could make landfall hundreds of kilometers south of the tropics is particularly concerning. Tropical cyclones are typically a tropical phenomenon, adding to the unusual nature of this event. The potential path of the cyclone encompasses a vast population of over 4 million people, most residing in and around the affected areas. Residents of north Queensland and the Northern Territory are accustomed to cyclone preparedness, with many maintaining cyclone kits stocked with emergency supplies and homes built to withstand strong winds. While Brisbane is familiar with storms, it hasn't fared well in recent severe weather events. The city has experienced significant flooding three times in the past 15 years – in 2011, 2017, and 2022. Predictions of 300mm to 600mm of rainfall in some areas, following an already exceptionally wet summer, are causing alarm among authorities.The seriousness with which authorities are approaching this cyclone threat, long before its landfall, is unprecedented. While rare, it's not unheard of for tropical cyclones to make landfall south of the tropics. Historical examples include a cyclone crossing the coast near K'gari and Hervey Bay, and a severe tropical cyclone making landfall near Tweed Heads in 1954. More commonly, a tropical cyclone will cross the coast north of the Tropic of Capricorn and return overland to the southeast as a destructive low-pressure system, as seen with Cyclone Debbie in 2017. Residents are being advised to take necessary precautions, which include preparing a cyclone kit with essential supplies for your family, sufficient for at least three days of self-sufficiency without power. It remains unclear whether schools or other essential services will be closed or affected by Tropical Cyclone Alfred. The Brisbane City Council has announced the suspension of all CityCat and ferry services in Brisbane from Monday night until further notice, allowing time to safely relocate the vessels.
Cyclone Alfred Queensland Brisbane Tropical Cyclone Heavy Rainfall Flooding Weather Warning Cyclone Preparedness
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