A powerful cyclone, Cyclone Alfred, is set to make landfall on Australia’s eastern coast on Saturday morning, bringing with it fears of destruction and disruption. Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated, while nearly 1,000 schools have closed and public transport suspended. The cyclone, a category two system with wind speeds of up to 130km/h, is expected to dump as much as 800mm of rain in the coming days.
Residents in the path of the storm have been preparing for the worst, stockpiling food, water, and sandbags to protect their homes. Authorities have warned of flash and riverine flooding in low-lying areas, which could worsen over the weekend. One man is still missing after his vehicle was swept into a fast-flowing river.
The last time a cyclone of Alfred’s magnitude hit Australia was in 1974, when Wanda made landfall. The storm has already caused significant disruption, with supermarkets shut and people mostly sheltering at home.
Despite the risks, some die-hard surfers have taken advantage of the strong winds to catch big waves. However, authorities are urging everyone to take the cyclone warnings seriously, warning of potential loss of homes and power outages.
Queensland is not stranger to cyclones, but it’s rare for them to come so far south. The storm has raised concerns about its slow progress, described by weather experts as “erratic.” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has echoed the concerns, urging people to be sensible and stay safe during the storm.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg5d0z8v0z0o