Cyclone Alfred nears Australia: Flights canceled amid severe storm threat

Tropical Cyclone Alfred made its presence felt across eastern Australia on Thursday as it brought strong winds and heavy rain that led to disruptions. Due to heavy rain and strong winds, several schools were closed and public transportation was suspended.

Alfred is set to be the first cyclone to hit Queensland’s Brisbane since Cyclone Zoe in 1974, which caused severe destruction and widespread flooding. As the cyclone approaches the Queensland coast, several experts anticipated its landfall early Saturday. The storm is expected to hit between the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.

Authorities Prepare In Full Swing

The Australian authorities have started preparations in full swing to combat the impact of Cyclone Alfred. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that the Defence Force has been on high alert and the government has activated the disaster response plan.

Support initiatives are also being implemented as the cyclone approaches. The government has also established evacuation centers. Real-time updates are being provided through the Queensland disaster dashboard.

Additionally, an emergency childcare declaration has been made to support childcare services and families in 15 impacted local government areas.

Flights Cancelled At Brisbane Airport

Meanwhile, Brisbane Airport has suspended its flight operations, and hundreds of flights were affected. The State Emergency Service has instructed evacuations for Lismore and other areas in northern New South Wales to be completed by 9 pm.

Cyclone Alfred was positioned 280 kilometers (170 miles) east of Brisbane, moving westward with sustained winds of 95 kph (59 mph) and gusts reaching 130 kph (81 mph), news agency AP reported citing the Bureau of Meteorology.

The cyclone is expected to maintain these wind speeds until it makes landfall. However, the main concern is the potential for widespread flooding. Forecasts suggest that up to 20,000 homes in Brisbane, a city located on a river floodplain, could be impacted by varying degrees of flooding.