Cyclone Triggers Mass Evacuations in Australia

Authorities in Australia have ordered thousands of residents along the country’s eastern coast to evacuate as Tropical Cyclone Alfred moves closer, bringing destructive winds, torrential rain, and widespread power outages.

The cyclone has already caused rivers to overflow and left approximately 80,000 homes across Queensland and New South Wales without electricity.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), Alfred, a Category 2 storm, was positioned about 125 kilometers (80 miles) east of Brisbane on Friday afternoon. The storm is expected to make landfall on Saturday, with conditions worsening overnight.

Jonathan How, a BOM meteorologist, warned that as the cyclone continues its approach, both wind intensity and rainfall will increase, creating dangerous conditions across the region.

Although the storm’s slow-moving nature has made its exact trajectory difficult to predict, forecasts indicate it will likely hit land north of Brisbane, a densely populated city home to more than 4 million people.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged residents to take precautions, stating that while authorities hope for the best, they must prepare for the worst.

He emphasized the country’s resilience in the face of natural disasters, calling on Australians to support one another during the crisis.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli confirmed that dozens of emergency shelters had been opened as a last resort.

He described the storm as already packing a powerful impact and warned that conditions could deteriorate further as Alfred makes landfall.

The cyclone has caused severe disruptions, leading to the closure of airports in the affected areas and the suspension of public transportation services in Brisbane.

More than 1,000 schools across Queensland and New South Wales have been forced to shut down as authorities prioritize public safety.

Flood warnings remain in place as parts of New South Wales have already received more than 400 millimeters (16 inches) of rainfall over the past 48 hours. Emergency teams continue to monitor rising water levels, particularly in low-lying and coastal communities at risk of severe flooding.

While no fatalities have been reported, police confirmed that a man remains missing after his vehicle was swept off a bridge into a river.

Despite warnings from officials to stay indoors or evacuate, some individuals have been seen surfing in the turbulent waters, taking advantage of the choppy conditions created by the storm. Albanese condemned such actions, urging residents to exercise caution and prioritize their safety.