Authorities are warning people in flood-prone neighbourhoods to leave their homes immediately as a rare east coast tropical cyclone approaches Brisbane, Australia’s third-most populated city, reports RTE.
Millions of people were affected by storm warnings that spanned more than 500 km along the coast of the states of Queensland and New South Wales.
Tropical cyclone Alfred is predicted to make landfall as a category-two storm early on Friday morning close to Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, and destructive wind gusts of up to 155 km/h might begin to form tomorrow afternoon, reports RTE.
Three tiers below the most deadly, category two cyclones have the potential to severely destroy trees and mobile homes, as well as to sever boats from their moorings.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the event’s total rainfall might reach 800 mm in certain areas, which is more than the typical amount for March and could result in potentially fatal flash floods.
“This is a very rare event for southeast Queensland… it has been many decades since this part of the state experienced (a cyclone),” Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said to reporters, reports RTE.
He urged locals to follow evacuation directives.
“If you are in a storm tide zone or you’re in an area where you know there is riverine flooding, you really need to consider and think about your evacuation plan now,” Mr Crisafulli stated, reports RTE.
Heavy-lift helicopters have been sent, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who also vowed to “provide whatever resources are required” for the state governments.
As officials race to open evacuation facilities, many residents have fled their houses, reports RTE.
As people stock up on necessities, grocery shelves have been bared and sandbags are in short supply.
More than fifty years have passed since the previous cyclone struck southern Queensland and northern New South Wales in 1974.
Brisbane was last threatened by a cyclone in 1990, but the system moved south shortly before it hit the city, reports RTE.
Public transport and schools in southeast Queensland will be closed tomorrow and Friday.
According to New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, 122 schools in the northern region of the state will be closed today and tomorrow. Vulnerable households will be asked to move by tomorrow morning, reports RTE.
“We need to bunker down over the next 48 hours and get through what may be a very difficult time,” he told reporters.
According to Qantas, many flights from northern New South Wales and southeast Queensland have been cancelled, and more are probably going to be added in the days ahead, reports RTE.
The Australian Football League postponed two games in southern Queensland and cancelled the Women’s European Tour co-sponsored WPGA Championship tournament.
Gold Coast, a popular tourist destination, has also closed its theme parks, reports RTE.
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