Queenslanders urged to avoid ‘hazardous’ coast this weekend as Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred roars past

Queenslanders are being urged to steer clear of the coast this weekend as Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred brings powerful waves.

Queenslanders are being urged to steer clear of the coast this weekend as Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred brushes past bringing powerful waves and beach erosion.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) on Thursday upgraded Alfred to a severe category three system. The massive storm, currently over the Coral Sea about 720km northeast of Mackay and 730km northeast of Rockhampton, is generating 220km/h winds over the ocean as it makes its way south.

“That is exceptionally powerful wind out over these open waters,” BOM meteorologist Angus Hines said in a video update on Friday afternoon.

“Across mainland Queensland we’ve seen some pretty gusty conditions of around 70-80km/h.”

By Saturday afternoon Alfred could come as close as 400km to the mainland.

Queenslanders in the affected coastal areas should avoid dangerous activities like rock fishing, swimming, surfing, boating, “all of those things on or near the water become hazardous this weekend”.

“Days of powerful waves onto the east coast will lead to the erosion of exposed coastlines, potentially eating away at beaches and causing damage through eastern parts of Queensland as well,” Mr Hines added.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred over the Coral Sea. Picture: BOM

Alfred is forecast to continue moving south through the Coral Sea on Friday.

“It will be windy, there will be a few showers across the southeast of Queensland, but the main impacts will be across the Queensland coast,” he said.

Damaging surf and abnormally high tide warnings extend from just south of Gladstone more than 600km down the coast to Coolangatta.

“On Saturday it may take a turn to the south-southwest towards the Queensland coast before tracking southeast away from the coast during Sunday,” the BOM said in an 11am update on Friday.

“There is increasing confidence that Alfred will stay offshore. However, Alfred is likely to be slow moving next week with some ongoing uncertainty as to how close to the southern Queensland coast it may come.”

The massive storm is bringing 220km/h winds. Picture: BOM

Regardless of the track Alfred takes, severe coastal hazards are likely for southern Queensland and northeast NSW, the BOM said.

“Alfred will bring a large and powerful to potentially damaging easterly swell as well as abnormally high tides are forecast to develop about exposed central Queensland beaches today, extending to southern Queensland from Saturday, and possibly to northern NSW from Sunday or Monday.”

The large and powerful easterly waves will combine with spring tides from Saturday to produce abnormally high tides and severe beach erosion for southern Queensland, the BOM warned.

“Large waves are expected to persist for several days as Alfred remains in the southern Coral Sea,” it said.

“Water levels on the high tide could exceed the highest tide of the year by around half a metre Saturday morning between Seventeen Seventy to Burnett Heads and Sandy Cape to Coolangatta. This could lead to minor flooding of the foreshore and coastal erosion.”

Damaging surf conditions which may lead to significant beach erosion and are likely to develop between Sandy Cape and Rainbow Beach from Saturday morning, extending further south to Maroochydore by Saturday evening.

Queensland’s State Disaster Coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy has warned those on the coast to keep clear.

“People should avoid swimming and surfing at beaches along these watch zones, or walking near surf-exposed areas, to avoid being caught in dangerous conditions,” Deputy Commissioner Chelepy said.

“Keep up to date with all beach closures and listen to the advice of authorities.

“Residents and visitors on island communities are also asked to monitor the system and stay up to date with warnings, as there will be significant impacts to these coastal areas.

People are being urged to avoid coastal activities. Picture: Mark Furler

“Now is not the time to be complacent, as we starting to feel these powerful impacts from the cyclone tracking closer to the mainland.”

Damaging surf may also extend into Sunday and affect coastlines further south depending on the movement of Alfred.

A Hazardous surf warning is also current for Capricornia, K’gari, Sunshine and Gold Coast waters.

Locations which may be affected include Gold Coast, Maroochydore, Coolangatta, Moreton Island, Noosa Heads, Rainbow Beach, K’gari, Seventeen Seventy.

Alfred is expected to veer away from the Queensland coast early next week and weaken into a category two cyclone.

“It’s unusual to see a category two cyclone in line with Brisbane,” Mr Hines said.

“It does happen from time to time, but certainly hasn’t happened in a few years.

Alfred could take a number of paths in the second half of next week, with the possibility it could veer closer to either southern Queensland or northern NSW by Thursday or Friday.

“It could see an increase in wind, rain, and again, large swell and coastal hazards,” Mr Hines said.

“This is only one of the possible scenarios that could occur with Alfred, so it’s really important that through this weekend and even out to next week, when things look like they might be easing, that you do stay up to date with the latest.”

Originally published as Queenslanders urged to avoid ‘hazardous’ coast this weekend as Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred roars past