Cyclone Alfred has intensified to Category 2 as it barrels towards Australia’s southeastern coast, prompting evacuation orders and a state of emergency.
The storm is expected to make landfall on Thursday or Friday between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast and could be one of the most destructive in the region in decades, officials warned.
If it follows its projected path, Alfred will be the first cyclone to directly impact Brisbane since Nancy in 1990.
Forecasts indicate potential rainfall of 300-600mm, with some areas possibly receiving up to 700mm. Wind gusts are expected to exceed 120kmph, accompanied by large waves that may lead to coastal erosion and flooding.
Queensland premier David Crisafulli urged residents to “please be prepared” and ready “canned food and bottled water”.
“It is important that people take the event seriously, they stay up to date with warnings,” he said.
“We’re dealing with a very heavily populated part of the state, a state that hasn’t seen a cyclone for many years, in fact, many decades, get this close to the coast.”
