Tropical Cyclone Alfred is located 560 km east of Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast and gale force winds are expected to develop over the next 24 to 48 hours along widespread moderate to major flooding say the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).
‘Monday, we did see tropical cyclone Alfred strengthen back to a category two cyclone, and as of Tuesday morning, it is currently a category two cyclone,’ said BOM meteorologist, Jonathan Howe this morning.
There are currently flood warnings and watch alerts across South East Queensland and also North East NSW. See below for links to localised alert pages.
‘We’re expecting fairly wet catchments and wet soils, we can expect to see widespread, moderate to major flooding. This includes quite a few major rivers to major population centers, with rainfall totals expected to exceed 200 to 400 millimeters across a wider area from later this week, as tropical cyclone Alfred makes landfall,’ said Mr Howe.
Risk of 100km/h winds
Matthew Gray, who is a storm chaser and aspiring meteorologist who lives in the Byron Shire told The Echo that, ‘The forecast models are continuing to suggest a direct landfall between Brisbane and Maroochydore. Currently Alfred is situated out in the pacific parallel to the Queensland and NSW border.’
‘Current rainfall accumulation models suggest between 300-800mm across the Byron Shire and the Northern Rivers and there is a risk of landslides. Wind speeds are currently predicted to reach around 100km/h and there will be gigantic swells and tides will also be associated with this system.
The SES have deployed food rescue and storm operators to the Northern Rivers as we prepare for the cyclone’s landfall. We can expect the power to go out and stay off for multiple days so get your generators ready,’ Matthew reminds everyone.
The 1954 cyclone that hit Brisbane was a category 3 cyclone and was unofficially given the title The Great Gold Coast Cyclone (cyclones were unnamed at the time).
‘This category 3 cyclone hit Brisbane with wind speeds reaching 100km/h in 1954. This cyclone destroyed 200 metres of Jetty located on Byron’s main Beach. Although the current cyclone Alfred is expected to make landfall as a category 2,’ said Matthew.
Cyclone landfall Thursday or Friday
Cyclone Alfred will move very close to the coast on Thursday and the BOM are expecting it to make a crossing or the landfall anytime from late Thursday and into Friday.
‘The location of landfall will be critical, because we are expecting to see the worst of the impacts, or most significant impacts, on the southern flank of the cyclone. So that does include places like Brisbane, the Gold Coast and also the Northern Rivers,’ explained BOM meteorologist Mr Howe.
‘As tropical cyclone Alfred turns today and moves closer towards the coast, we will continue to see those showers along the coastal fringe, as well as very strong winds and into Wednesday, that’s when we’ll start to see the areas of rain and wind becoming more widespread and more severe. So on Wednesday, we are expecting to see a significant increase in rain, particularly heavy rainfall, and those very strong to damaging winds developing about coastal areas.’
As the cyclone moves closer to the coast on Thursday there will be an increase in rain, potential for flash flooding and riverine flooding.
‘As the system gets even closer, damaging to destructive winds may cause damage to property and trees. And importantly, these damaging to destructive winds will be sustained over quite a long period of time, and so that will mean that we could see quite significant damage to properties and also trees. And then into Friday, as it does make landfall, we can expect to see quite widespread and dangerous flash flooding develop, in addition to those very strong winds moving onto the coast’ said Mr Howe.
Hazard warnings:
Lismore and surrounds – STAY INFORMED
Predicted moderate to major flooding on the Wilsons River
- Lismore and surrounds:
Lismore Upper Catchment – STAY INFORMED
Predicted potential moderate to major flooding on the Wilsons River:
- Low lying areas north of Lismore in the Wilsons catchment area
Woodburn and surrounds – STAY INFORMED
Predicted moderate to major flooding on the Richmond River:
- Woodburn
- Swan Bay
Coraki and surrounds – STAY INFORMED
Predicted moderate to major flooding on the Richmond River:
- Coraki and surrounds
Casino and surrounds – STAY INFORMED
Predicted moderate to major flooding on the Richmond River:
- Casino and surrounding areas
Mullumbimby, Brunswick Heads, Main Arm – STAY INFORMED
- The road to Upper Main Arm above the Palmwoods junction may become impassable
- Low-lying roads and bridges
- Low-lying farming and rural areas
Billinudgel and surrounds – STAY INFORMED
Predicted potential moderate to major flooding on the Marshalls Creek:
- Billinudgel and surrounds
Chinderah and surrounds – STAY INFORMED
- Moderate to major flooding may develop from Thursday in the Flood Watch area. Flash flooding is possible. High tides and large waves are expected to increase the flood risk and impacts in low lying coastal areas.
Tweed Coastal Creeks and surrounds – STAY INFORMED
Potential moderate to major flooding on the Tweed Coastal Creek catchments:
- Crabbes Creek
- Mooball Creek
- Cudgera Creek
- Cudgen Creek
Tumbulgum and surrounds – STAY INFORMED
Predicted moderate to major flooding on the Tweed River:
- Tumbulgum
Murwillumbah and surrounds – STAY INFORMED
Predicted moderate to major flooding on the Tweed River:
- Murwillumbah and surrounds
Kyogle and surrounds – STAY INFORMED
Predicted possible moderate to major flooding on the Richmond River:
Kyogle and surrounds
What you need to do:
If you have a Home or Business Emergency Plan, follow it. Otherwise, have a conversation and plan for what you will do and take with you if you need to evacuate.
Consider the consequences of road and bridge closures and water over roads and make alternate arrangements for work, children, and travel.
Obey all signs about road closures and instructions from emergency services.
Never drive, walk, ride through, play or swim in floodwater – it is dangerous, toxic, and may void your car insurance. If it’s flooded, forget it. Fines may apply.
Avoid storm drains and pipes, ditches, ravines, creeks, and rivers.
People in areas likely to be impacted by flooding should raise their assets, including waste and chemical containers above expected flood heights.
Share this information with family, friends, and neighbours and help others prepare where possible.
If you are likely to be isolated due to flooding, stock up on essential items now.
People working or camping along the river should monitor river heights and be prepared to relocate to higher ground.
Farmers should consider moving pumps and farm equipment to higher ground.
Companion animals and livestock should be relocated to higher ground that will not become an island.
For more information:
Listen to your local ABC radio station which can be found at reception.abc.net.au
Download the Hazards Near Me app and set your watch zones to get warning information for your areas.
Follow us on social media @NSWSES or visit our website at www.ses.nsw.gov.au
Learn about your risk at www.ses.nsw.gov.au/knowyourrisk
Check latest weather, warnings, rainfall and river heights at www.bom.gov.au/nsw/
Check road closures at www.livetraffic.com.au or 132 701 or your local Council.
For emergency assistance during a flood, storm or tsunami, call the NSW SES on 132 500.
In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
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