The Slow-Moving Storm Poses Threat to Millions, but its Exact Path Remains Uncertain
Cyclone Alfred, a slow-moving tropical storm, is creeping towards the eastern coast of Australia, causing heavy rains and generating record-breaking waves. The cyclone, which had been expected to make landfall late on Thursday evening (March 6), is now predicted to reach the mainland later on Friday or early Saturday. This has caused uncertainty in predicting its exact path, with millions of people along a 400km stretch of coastline now at risk.
As of Thursday afternoon, Cyclone Alfred was located 250km east of Brisbane. The storm’s erratic movement has made forecasting difficult, but strong gales have already begun affecting coastal areas, with powerful swells and waves reaching extraordinary heights. On the Gold Coast, a 12.4-metre wave – the largest ever recorded at that monitoring station – was observed, stirring up a wave of excitement among surfers despite warnings about the dangers of reckless behaviour.
Acting Gold Coast Mayor Donna Gates expressed concern over the risks, calling it a “huge act of stupidity” for people to disregard safety and surf amidst such hazardous conditions. However, some locals continued to enjoy the supercharged waves, even with fines of up to $10,000 looming for dangerous behaviour.
The slow pace of the storm’s advance means that coastal communities will experience extended exposure to its outer bands, which have already brought significant rainfall to some areas. Several towns have already received more than 200mm of rain, and the Bureau of Meteorology has warned that Cyclone Alfred’s final landfall could occur near Brisbane, a major metropolitan area. If this happens, it would be the first time in over 50 years that a cyclone has struck this part of Australia.
Cyclone Alfred has already caused power outages, leaving over 4,000 homes without electricity, and more than 900 schools across Queensland and New South Wales have been closed as a result of the storm’s impact. Despite being rare in southern regions of the country, the cyclone has added to growing concerns about the increasing intensity and frequency of natural disasters due to climate change.
The storm is also creating significant disruption for some visitors, including American rapper Ice Cube, who was caught in the storm while preparing for upcoming concerts in Sydney and Melbourne.
Government officials have stressed that the cyclone poses a serious threat to the 4.5 million people living in the affected areas, with preparations ongoing in anticipation of the storm’s final impact.
