Serious risk of major flooding and storm surges as Cyclone Alfred hits southeast Queensland
As Cyclone Alfred bears down on southeast Queensland, authorities have warned the low category two rating masks a terrifying and potentially deadly risk.
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Authorities warn strong winds from Tropical Cyclone Alfred could mask the truly terrifying risk of devastating flooding and stormwater surges.
The cyclone’s category two strength shouldn’t give residents a false sense of security – and the risk of devastating and potentially fatal flooding is high.
Cyclone Alfred is forecast to saturate southeast Queensland with up to 800 millimetres of rain in the coming few days.
On top of that, authorities fear a mammoth stormwater surge to hit, with sea level rises of up to one metre greater than typical high tides.
“Potentially, the storm surge is the most dangerous hazard associated with a tropical cyclone,” the Bureau of Meteorology warned.
And if a storm surge hits during high tide, the “effects can be much more severe” – a scenario that the Bureau fears is highly likely with Alfred.
“Storm surge, combined with large waves, can reach areas far away from the coast. Strong low pressure systems, especially tropical cyclones, create storm surges by physically pushing the water onshore,” it said.
“The stronger the winds, the higher the storm surge.”
Early on Thursday, a terrifying 12.3 metre wave was recorded at Main Beach on the Gold Coast, with Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said had never been seen before.
“The potential for waves and wind, rainfall and then eventually flooding remains real,” Mr Crisafulli told Sunrise.
Brisbane City Council released modelling showing some 20,000 homes and businesses could experience some kind of flooding.
That could look like “anything from mild inundation in their yards to significant flooding in their homes”.
Suburbs most at risk are Ashgrove, Brighton, Morningside, Nudgee Beach, Rocklea and Windsor.
“Residents are warned this is a model only and there could be impacts that aren’t recognised by the current forecast,” a council spokesperson said.
Queensland Police officers are going door-to-door in those most at-risk areas to ensure residents have an adequate evacuation plan.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner urged residents to avoid non-essential travel and said driving isn’t recommended “over the next two days, and even the next three”.
“It can be an incredibly dangerous situation,” Mr Schrinner said.
“There can be items that have become projectiles, that can crash into you. There can be fallen power lines as a result of fallen trees that can electrocute you.”
Those in low-lying parts of Brisbane, Moreton Bay and the Gold Coast have been told to prepare to evacuate if needed.
Shelters have been set up, including at the RNA Showgrounds.
Based on current modelling, Cyclone Alfred is on a direct path with central Brisbane, although the BOM warning effectively stretches from the Sunshine Coast to northern New South Wales.
Once the cyclone crosses the coast, it could weaken into a massive and slow-moving storm system, which means the threat of vast flooding only intensifies.
Major roads and bridges across Brisbane will close when wind gusts hit 90 kilometres per hour. Schools have also shut down and all public transport services in the Queensland capital have been suspended.
Gold Coast Airport was shut down on Wednesday and Brisbane Airport is likely to follow suit, with airlines set to suspend flights from Thursday afternoon.
Some have ignored the advice of authorities to stay away from raging surf, with a 78-year-old woman suffering head injuries after being hammered by dangerous conditions yesterday.
A large wave swept her and several others off their feet at Currumbin Beach at about 5pm on Wednesday.
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Originally published as Serious risk of major flooding and storm surges as Cyclone Alfred hits southeast Queensland
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