In brief
Authorities issue evacuation alerts as Brisbane gets ready for the biggest storm in decades.
As Cyclone Alfred approaches, Brisbane, Australia's third-largest city, is gearing up for a weather event unlike any seen in decades. The slow-moving cyclone is expected to hit late Friday or early Saturday, creating anxiety for the 2.7 million residents in the area. With wind gusts predicted to reach 95 miles per hour and dangerous tidal surges looming, authorities are urging locals in low-lying regions to prepare for possible evacuations. On Thursday, Cyclone Alfred was located approximately 150 miles off Brisbane's coast, already generating towering waves. In anticipation of the storm, more than 900 schools and multiple airports are being closed, while public transport has ground to a halt in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales. Supermarket shelves have been stripped bare as residents stock up on essentials, and many are lining up for sandbags to safeguard their homes. Interestingly, while officials are stressed about the impending cyclone, surfers took advantage of the record swells, attracting crowds eager to catch a glimpse of the intense waves. The storm's slow pace may worsen its impact, potentially leading to prolonged rainfall and severe coastal flooding, particularly affecting areas like Lismore, which experienced catastrophic floods in 2022, resulting in 22 fatalities. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stated that emergency funds will be available for recovery efforts post-storm in Queensland and New South Wales.
