05/03/2025
🌀⚠️ is cutting an ominous figure off the coast as it churns toward south-east Queensland and north-east NSW this afternoon. The category 2 storm was located 305km ENE of the at 4:00pm AEST.
At this stage, the cyclone is expected to make landfall near as a high-end category 2 system with wind gusts up to 160km/h sometime between 2-5am on Friday. There is a chance it could still intensify further, potentially reaching low-end category 3 strength just prior to crossing the coast.
Despite still being 30+ hours away from making landfall, the far western edge of the cyclone is already beginning to impact the coast, with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120km/h developing near the coast from to .
🌀 LATEST TRACK MAP & ADVICE: http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml
🌀⚠️ HERE HE COMES! Tropical is cutting an ominous figure off the coast as it churns toward south-east Queensland and north-east NSW this afternoon. The category 2 storm was located 305km ENE of the at 4:00pm AEST.
At this stage, the cyclone is expected to make landfall near as a high-end category 2 system with wind gusts up to 160km/h sometime after 8am on Friday. There is a chance it could still intensify further, potentially reaching low-end category 3 strength just prior to crossing the coast.
Locations near and to the south of the cyclone’s path are tipped to feel the full force of ’s fury, with the Gold Coast bracing for its most severe weather event in 70 years.
People on the Gold Coast are being urged to TAKE SHELTER in their HOMES by 6pm tonight.
🔺WIND
Alfred's destructive wind gusts will likely cause damage to some buildings, uproot trees and bring down powerlines. Caravans may be tossed around and boats may break their moorings, while loose items such as debris and sheets of tin may become airborne.
At 4:00 AEST, the far western edge of the cyclone was already beginning to impact the coast, with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120km/h developing near the coast from Coolangatta to Ballina. These winds are expected to develop across the impact zone from tonight and persist during Thursday, and Friday.
DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS of up to 155km/h are expected to develop about coastal and island locations near and to the south of the track, possibly as far south as about Cape Byron, from Thursday afternoon as Alfred's destructive core approaches and crosses the coast. These destructive gusts may extend to the mainland areas close to the centre from overnight Thursday or Friday morning.
could be lashed with destructive wind gusts for more than 12 hours.
The tourist strip is home to the fourth-largest number of skyscrapers in Australia, which is likely to significantly disrupt the flow of wind in the beachside suburb, turning narrow streets into dangerous wind tunnels.
Numerous panes of glass were blown out of high-rise buildings in Surfers Paradise during the passing of ex-tropical cyclone Debbie in 2017.
🔺RAIN
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING will develop from THURSDAY, well BEFORE Alfred makes landfall early Friday morning.
LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS and LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING may develop near and south of the cyclone's centre in the hours leading up to and during landfall.
Six-hourly rainfall totals of 200-250 mm are expected on the southern side of the system as it crosses the coast overnight Thursday and early Friday morning.
Accumulated multi-day totals in excess of up to 900 mm will be possible, with final figures depended on the movement and positioning of the cyclone.
🔺FLOODING
Forecast rainfall rates are heavy enough to cause extensive life-threatening flooding, particularly through Thursday and Friday.
Rivers and creeks are expected to rise rapidly, with high seas and a dangerous storm surge likely to prevent floodwater from draining into the ocean during the height of the event, worsening flooding impacts.
Major flooding is likely across a number of river catchments, with some rivers potentially reaching historic flood levels.
Areas of most concern include Logan Valley and the Gold Coast, along with the Greater Lismore and possibly the Dorrigo regions in north-east NSW.
Worst case scenario modelling shows over 6,000 homes are at risk of flooding on the Gold Coast alone. To view the Gold Coast’s flood risk map, click here: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/bebdd7fbf82b45359397c3a1d2ad07fc
Flood Watches are current for areas between Hervey Bay in QLD down to Coffs Harbour in NSW, with widespread flooding expected to continue across the impact zone into early next week.
🔺STORM SURGE
A DANGEROUS storm surge is expected to impact the coastal foreshore in areas near and south of the cyclone's centre, possibly as far south as Byron Bay.
Seas are expected to rise significantly above the highest high tide mark, with damaging waves and dangerous inundation of low-lying coastal areas.
The Gold Coast is bracing for a storm surge of up to 1m above the highest astronomical tide from Thursday.
🔺COASTAL EROSION
Abnormally high tides are expected to continue between Double Island Point in Queensland and Grafton in NSW, particularly during the early hours of Thursday and Friday mornings.
Significant wave heights in excess of 7m are forecast, with maximum wave heights upwards of 14-17m possible. As a result, significant beach erosion is expected, particularly on the Gold and Tweed Coasts.
🔺POWER / COMMUNICATION FAILURES
This event has the potential to cause widespread prolonged power outages. Depending on the extent of infrastructure damage, power may be lost either before, during or after the cyclone crosses the coast, and may remain cut for an extended period of time (weeks).
Residents with rooftop solar panels should switch them off to prevent the risk of fire.
Communications (phone, internet) and water may also stop working.
🔺LANDSLIDES
Landslides will be likely across the impact zone, particularly in the Gold Coast Hinterland and ranges in north-east NSW. Multiple roads were demolished by landslides in the Gold Coast Hinterland during the passing of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie in 2017, hampering the delivery of emergency supplies and isolating communities for a prolonged period of time.
🔺SHELTER IN PLACE
Residents are being urged to TAKE SHELTER inside their homes by 6pm tonight (Wednesday). Residents should find the strongest and safest room in their building to ride out the cyclone’s landfall. It could be a bathroom, walk-in wardrobe, or a hallway. If the roof peels off, shelter under a mattress.
🔺EVACUATION CENTRES
Evacuation centres are being setup across the impact zone. These should be used as a last resort with residents encouraged to shelter at home or with family and friends.
GOLD COAST EVACUATION CENTRES:
OPEN NOW
• Indoor Sports Centre (Sports Drive, Runaway Bay)
OPENING 5PM TODAY
• Bicentennial Community Centre (833 Southport Nerang Road, Nerang)
• WATERS Community Centre (111 Christine Avenue, Burleigh Waters)
For evacuation centres in NSW, click here: https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/during-an-emergency/evacuation-centres
🌀 LATEST TRACK MAP & ADVICE: http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml
For emergency information relevant to the Gold Coast, including flood risk maps, visit the City of Gold Coast’s DISASTER DASHBOARD: https://dashboard.goldcoast.qld.gov.au
: For assistance with storm damage, rising floodwater, fallen trees or roof damage, call the QLD or NSW State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500. For life-threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000).
⚠️ QUEENSLAND WARNINGS
CYCLONE ADVICE: https://reg.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20023.html
SEVERE WEATHER WARNING (Rain/Wind): https://reg.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ21037.shtml
COASTAL HAZARD WARNING (Tides/Surf): https://reg.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ21137.shtml
FLOOD WATCH: https://reg.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ20900.html
⚠️ NSW WARNINGS
SEVERE WEATHER WARNING (Rain/Wind): https://reg.bom.gov.au/products/IDN21037.shtml
COASTAL HAZARD WARNING (Tides/Surf): https://reg.bom.gov.au/products/IDN21137.shtml
FLOOD WATCH: https://reg.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/flood/floodwatch1.shtml
Radar Source:
