Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, once formidable, has been downgraded to a tropical low as it remains off the coast of Brisbane, Australia. The city, home to over 2.5 million people, has so far avoided major destruction, providing a sigh of relief to its residents and local officials. However, concerns remain as the weather system continues to impact regions nearby.
Alfred, which initially posed a significant threat, weakened significantly, reducing its wind speeds to 55 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching 85 kilometers per hour as reported by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Despite its downgrade, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has cautioned that the storm’s dangers persist, with expectations that its effects will worsen in the hours and days ahead.
A tragedy has already unfolded due to Alfred’s impact. A 61-year-old man has gone missing after his vehicle was carried away by floodwaters on a bridge in New South Wales. The Prime Minister expressed ‘grave concerns’ for the man’s safety, highlighting the storm’s serious nature. Initially projected to make landfall on Thursday, the system’s slow movement has allowed more time for preparation, yet it has also resulted in extensive rainfall along the coastline.
The Gold Coast, a popular tourist destination, has witnessed wave heights exceeding 12 meters, leading to erosion and threatening coastal residences. In Byron Bay, uprooted trees and overturned picnic tables have been reported, illustrating the storm’s disruptive power. The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that Alfred could still bring about heavy rain, dangerous flash floods, and unusually high tides.
Related Stories
The power supply has been severely affected, with more than 280,000 customers left without electricity in Queensland and New South Wales. The energy distributors, Energex and Essential Energy, confirmed the widespread outages. Additionally, evacuation orders have been issued for numerous communities while airports and ports remain closed.
In Lismore, an evacuation is underway as flood levels might surpass those seen during the 2022 floods, which claimed five lives. The Climate Risk Group has noted that rising temperatures may be pushing tropical storms toward regions traditionally less affected, such as southern Queensland and northern New South Wales.
As Alfred continues its slow journey, the need for vigilance remains high in affected areas. While major damage to Brisbane has been averted, the storm’s capacity to cause significant disruption is evident. Communities are urged to stay prepared and heed warnings as Australia contends with the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, highlighting the broader challenges of climate change.
