The worst of Cyclone Alfred has yet to arrive, but the impacts are already being felt for many across Queensland and New South Wales.
Over 20,000 properties lost power overnight in south-east Queensland, with 17,500 homes blacked out on the Gold Coast alone. In northern NSW, 10,000 are already without power, which was expected to rise as conditions worsen.
Alfred remains stalled just 195km east of Brisbane, creeping towards land at a painfully slow pace. The new forecast had it crossing between Noosa and Coolangatta late Friday or early Saturday.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) warned that Alfred’s slow movement was making the situation far worse, increasing the risk of:
- Life-threatening flash flooding as heavy, sustained rainfall develops over south-east Queensland and northern NSW
- Daily rainfall totals of up to 400mm—with event totals over 800mm possible
- A dangerous storm tide along the coast, with abnormally high tides already causing minor flooding from Cape Moreton to Yamba
- Significant beach erosion—damaging surf is pounding the coast, carving away sand before the cyclone even arrives
- Destructive wind gusts up to 155km/h, expected to develop near and south of the cyclone’s centre as it crosses the coast.
The storm is “sucking up juice” as it gradually approaches Queensland. (Source: 1News)
With damaging gusts up to 120km/h already hitting coastal areas between Cape Moreton and Cape Byron, the first wave of blackouts is spreading across Queensland and NSW.
Gold Coast hinterland, Tweed Heads, and Burleigh Waters were among the hardest hit.
Around 2000 properties in Brisbane’s bayside (Redlands area) were also without power.
NSW outages were expected to worsen as Alfred moves closer.
Evacuation orders issued in northern NSW
Authorities told 1News this morning that SES crews issued additional emergency warnings for multiple flood-prone areas in northern NSW, telling people to evacuate before floodwaters make it too dangerous to leave.
Areas under immediate evacuation orders as of Friday morning included Lismore, Tumbulgum, Stotts Island, Fingal Head, Uki, Kyogle, Coraki, Bungawalbin, and Port Macquarie’s low-lying suburbs.
Bowraville, Macksville, and North Macksville residents have until 8am (local time) today to get out before rising water cuts them off.
Meteorologists were stressed that Alfred’s impact wasn't about the cyclone’s official category rating but about the sheer amount of rain, storm surge, and destructive winds it was already generating.
"It doesn’t matter if Alfred is a category one, two, or three…” said the BOM.
It warned the next 24 hours would be critical with Alfred slowly tracking west, meaning stronger winds, worsening flooding, and more power outages were all expected before the cyclone even reaches land.
SHARE ME