Rare tropical cyclone 'Alfred' threatens millions on Australia's east coast
What's the story
Millions of residents along Australia's eastern coast are bracing for the impact of Cyclone Alfred, the first cyclone to threaten Brisbane in half a century. The storm, equivalent to a Category 1 Atlantic hurricane, is expected to make landfall just south of Brisbane early Friday. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said this is a rare event as it targets southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales (NSW), areas not usually tropical.
Rising concerns
High tide timing exacerbates cyclone threat
The severity of Cyclone Alfred's impact is expected to be amplified as it coincides with high tide, which could complicate emergency responses. The last cyclone of comparable severity to pass near Brisbane was Cyclone Zoe in 1974, which caused widespread flooding in the city and Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. Experts warn that the most severe effects of Cyclone Alfred may be felt south of the storm's eye, impacting popular tourist beaches from Gold Coast to northern NSW.
Coastal risks
Cyclone Alfred's potential impact on coastal regions
"We haven't seen anything quite like this for a good 50 years," Darrell Strauss from Griffith University said. "There are areas where storm surge is the biggest problem, and then there's areas where high waves and coastal erosion and inundation from the sea directly due to the waves are a big problem," he said. As of Wednesday, Cyclone Alfred was positioned 400km off the coast with winds up to 120km/h.
Preparations underway
Communities brace for cyclone Alfred's arrival
NSW Premier Chris Minns has expressed concern for communities still recovering from past floods, like the one in 2022. In Brisbane, residents are preparing by sandbagging homes and stocking up on essentials amid warnings of potential flooding. According to the Lord Mayor's office, modeling suggests that up to 20,000 properties could be affected by storm surge or flash flooding due to Cyclone Alfred.
Weather forecast
Polar vortex collapse expected to follow cyclone Alfred
In related news, a polar vortex collapse is expected mid-March, which could bring extreme winter weather across the US and Canada. This happens when cold winds around the Arctic weaken, allowing frigid air to move southward. AccuWeather's Lead Meteorologist Paul Pastelok explained that a disrupted polar vortex can affect the polar jet stream, potentially bringing icy air into North America or Eurasia by late March into early April.