Northern NSW is in the firing line of Tropical Cyclone Alfred as it moves towards south-east Queensland in a rare twofold blow, authorities have warned.
Alfred is currently a category-one cyclone, twisting about 430km east off the southern Queensland coastline.
The cyclone is set to develop to a category two system overnight and could make landfall by Thursday, promising to be one of the most destructive in the region in decades with gusts in excess of 125km/h.
A cyclone hasn’t crossed the south-east Queensland coast in 51 years when Cyclone Wanda caused catastrophic floods in January 1974 before ex-Tropical Cyclone Zoe wreaked more havoc across two states two months later.
Cyclone Nancy was the last to make landfall near Byron Bay in far northern NSW in 1990.
Steven Bernasconi, the Bureau of Meteorology’s manager of hazard preparedness, said the forecast was unusual.
‘This is unusual for NSW … We don’t often have tropical cyclone watches and warnings in the NSW jurisdiction,’ he said.
Cyclone Zoe cut railway lines, caused landslides, and forced about thousands of Lismore and Murwillumbah residents to evacuate, he added.
Cyclone Alfred has been ‘yo-yoing’ between category one and two strength off the coast of south-east Queensland
Millions of Aussies in south-east Queensland and northern NSW are on cyclone watch as the wild weather worsens. Pictured is the Gold Coast on Monday
‘So depending on how this plays out, that’s the sort of impact we’re looking at,’ Mr Bernasconi said.
NSW is likely to experience gale-force winds over the next two days because of Cyclone Alfred, he said.
Millions of Aussies have been urged to prepare for the worst with the latest analysis still suggesting Alfred could make landfall anywhere between Bundaberg and the NSW border.
Coastal hazards, including high tides, hazardous surf and currents are likely to continue in south-east Queensland and northern NSW.
Damaging winds will bring increasing rainfall to the area over the week.
‘Heavy rainfall is forecast for southeast Queensland and northeastern New South Wales from Wednesday,’ the latest bureau alert states.
‘Heavy to locally intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding may occur near and south of the cyclone centre as Alfred approaches the coast late on Thursday or early Friday.
‘Flood Watches have been issued for these areas.’
Experts are suggesting the cyclone could make landfall anywhere between Bundaberg and the NSW border
The cyclone is already causing brutal swells, massive tides and coastal erosion in Queensland
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli asked the Sunshine State to take the warnings seriously.
‘My message to Queenslanders today is please be prepared,’ he said on Monday.
‘It is important that people take the event seriously, they stay up to date with warnings.’
‘We’re dealing with a very heavily populated part of the state, a [part of the] state that hasn’t seen a cyclone for many years, in fact, many decades, get this close to the coast.’
He extended the warnings to those living on islands off the coast.
Authorities have categorised their fears into three stages: the damaging tides and swell and erosion caused by them, damaging gusts of winds, and flooding in the region.
Outside of the potential impact zone, authorities in the NSW northern rivers and mid north coast already have emergency crews on standby to deal with floods and storms forecast.
Authorities have warned swells will pick up further over coming days and could be incredibly dangerous. Pictured is a surfer riding the massive swells on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast
Cyclone Alfred is expected to bring damaging winds in excess of 100km/h and flooding rains
‘[We have] sent communication equipment, support personnel, aviation resources and specialised vehicles ahead of the forecasted impacts later this week,’ NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Nicole Hogan said.
‘Moderate to major riverine flooding and flash flooding is possible which could close roads, inundate properties and lead to evacuations in some parts of the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast from Wednesday through to at least the weekend.’
Winds are forecasted to strengthen into gales, reaching damaging gusts of up to 120 km/h, affecting the coastal and island communities of north-eastern New South Wales from the Queensland border right down to Grafton on Wednesday.
Queensland Police and the state’s SES also outlined the steps those in potentially flood zones should follow over the coming days.
‘The weather and its impacts can vary across the state and knowing your location will help you understand the hazards you may face. Get to know your local environment and research the potential impacts of severe weather,’ a SES spokeswoman said.
‘Make an emergency plan; Pack an emergency kit; Prepare your property.’
‘This plan should reflect specific needs of all family members and outline the steps to take should an emergency arise.’
Onlookers observe the weather at the Seaway on the Gold Coast on Monday
Cyclone Wanda (above) was the last to make landfall in south east Queensland, back in 1974
‘Pack an emergency kit with essentials that can last you a minimum of three to seven days in case you lose power or do not have access to clean water.’
‘Storm proof your roof and keep your home and property in good condition by regularly checking your roof for repairs, keeping gutters clean as well as safely trimming trees and overhanging branches.’
‘Secure, weigh down or put away any loose items around the house, yard or balcony. Items such as potted plants, outdoor furniture, garbage bins, and trampolines can become dangerous missiles.’
‘Identify the strongest room in your home to shelter in during storms and cyclones. Usually this would be the smallest room in the house, with the least windows.’
