‘Jet engines roaring’: Terrified residents describe ‘teased’ TC Alfred’s rage

Queenslanders have described ‘insane’ horizontal rain, wind sounding like a freight train and even ‘red and green’ lightning in the skies as Tropical Cyclone Alfred smashed its way to the mainland. VIDEOS, PHOTOS

Queenslanders have described ‘insane’ horizontal rain, wind sounding like a freight train and even ‘red and green’ lightning in the skies as Tropical Cyclone Alfred smashed its way to the mainland.

Some on the mainland mistakenly thought the cyclone had passed over them as they were confronted with horrendous wind, the sound of trees cracking outside their homes, while they bunkered down with terrified children and pets.

Just after 5am on Saturday, Tropical Cyclone Alfred remained off Bribie Island and was moving slowly towards the mainland coast.

It is expected to weaken below tropical cyclone strength before crossing the mainland coast between Maroochydore and Bribie Island during the morning.

Anne-Marie Murphy on Russell Island, one of the first areas to be hit by Alfred, described it “like jet engines roaring then booming”.

Miki Jay, who was also on the island, described the winds as phenomenal.

“Half a tree hit the house so far every thing appears in tact. We have no power. It’s pitch black and the gust and surges are indescribable.

“You hold your breath each time.”

Clair Hayden, who is in Maudsland, a hinterland community north of the Gold Coast, described the sound of the winds as ‘like a freight train hurtling through. I can’t imagine a category 5 if this is a cat 2. Far out.”

Carol Wiliandy also in the Gold Coast hinterland said she had things flying everywhere and it even sounded like tin roof was lifting.

“This has been going on for hours.”

A resident in a Gold Coast high rise described the rain as ‘literally insane’ as he tried to stop water coming into windows in his bedrooms.

“It has just gone from bad to worse. I’m literally trying to seal it on my own with what I have.’’

Another resident posted “I’m in Raby Bay and I’m seeing red lighting and green lightning? Wtf?”

Callum Greig of Capalaba said a massive tree snapped in half out the back and a transformer or powerlines are going off lighting the sky green and blue in the distance.

Ivan Tatarovic was without power and sleep.

“I can’t sleep, the cat’s too scared to go outside to poo and I’m down to my last half tube of silicone, I done with Alfred!”

Rodeene Gabriel said it was ‘absolutely crazy here in Coomera on the Gold Coast the wind is so bad the walls are vibrating’.

Karen Smith said she was lying down listening to the big trees falling down near Helensvale.

Elizabeth Scholes said she did not know how she still had windows.

“They are being pelted with rain, and the wind is making all the windows and doors shake. No power since about 9pm.’’

Colleen Burgess woke just after 1am after hearing the winds in Beachmere, a block back from the beach.

“ The roaring sound of the wind is quite something.”

Annie Kurittu had her four daughters in the hallway with her on mattresses.

She was feeling a little better knowing it had been downgraded to a category one.

“ It’s been a big few days mentally preparing.’’

Leah Molo said she and her partner kept getting woken up the loud noise.

“Holding our babies extra tight tonight.”

Scott Whitehouse reported well over 350mm of rain in Benowa on the Gold Coast

Zanelle Walter in Runaway Bay said ‘we are drowning’.

“ I haven’t stopped crying. Send prayers and gin my heart can’t handle this. Currently sitting next to my kids bed watching them sleep and bawling my eyes out.”

Sue Sanders described it a ‘bit crazy here in Redcliffe’.

“I am in a high-rise directly opposite Sutton’s Beach. Very windy and rainy. The noise is disturbing. Not sleeping any time soon.”

TOPSHOT – Young men crouch behind a wall as they play in record-breaking waves caused by the outer fringe of Tropical Cyclone Alfred at Point Danger in Coolangatta on March 7, 2025. Violent winds toppled power lines on March 7 as Tropical Cyclone Alfred inched towards Australia's eastern coast, sparking evacuation orders and leaving more than 50,000 homes without electricity. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

Amber Ross said she could not believe she had witnessed four guys along the shoreline of the bay at 2am running and diving into the bay. The waves are huge with a massive side sweep, huge wind gusts. Only one word comes to mind.’’

Scott Farish said in Rothwell the winds were insane with sideways rain.

Alfred makes landfall in Redcliffe at 1.30am Saturday.

Cara Singh in Crestmead said the wind had been ‘like nothing I’ve ever heard before with the whistling. I’ve never been through a cyclone before and my anxiety has been through the roof. I’m the only one awake in my house and don’t think I’ll get to sleep anytime soon.’’

Adrienne Turner said the gusts in Victoria Point were insane.

“I couldn’t imagine a Cat5.’’

Tracy Evers Haggett described it as ‘absolutely hammering us in Redlands, terrifying’.

A fallen tree sits across a road in front of buildings in Coolangatta on March 7, 2025 (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

“Lost power a while ago, debris hitting the roof, rain leaking through a window.

Deb Browne was being absolutely smashed in Woodridge.

“Trees are bending, p*ssing down with rain, the scary part is the howling winds.’’

Debbie Harvey in Amity, North Stradbroke Island, described it as ‘eerily quiet’ with no rain, no wind as the eye of Tropical Cyclone Alfred passed over.

“I can hear the surf in the distance, I can hear the crickets and frogs and all the tiny noises out there. Be still my beating heart.”

Kelly Louise, of Logan Reserve, said she had looked outside to see the ‘whole sky turn orange and blue’.

Dennis Mckenna said Alfred went from ‘dead quiet to crazy.

“Everyone must of p*ssed him off teasing him.”

Originally published as ‘Jet engines roaring’: Terrified residents describe ‘teased’ TC Alfred’s rage