Cyclone Alfred Overview
Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues to move slowly towards the southeast Queensland coast, bringing destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and widespread power outages. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has warned that the cyclone will make landfall on Saturday afternoon, impacting Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and northern NSW.
Figure 1: Cyclone Alfred’s current position and projected trajectory [Windy]
Key Cyclone Statistics
- Category: 2
- Current Location: 150 km east of Brisbane
- Movement: Southeast at 7 km/h
- Wind Gusts: Up to 155 km/h
- Power Outages: 75,000 homes without power across QLD and NSW
- Rainfall: Several hundred millimetres expected, with potential to exceed 2022 flood levels
- Bridges Close at: 90 km/h wind speeds
- Evacuation Shelters: Open and available, with numbers expected to rise
Current Position and Movement
Tropical Cyclone Alfred is currently located 150 km east of Brisbane, moving southeast at 7 km/h. The system remains a Category 2 cyclone and is expected to cross the mainland late Saturday morning or early afternoon. BoM meteorologist Jonathan How has cautioned that the cyclone may stall or slow down, prolonging the severe weather conditions.
Severe Weather Update: Tropical Cyclone Alfred update, crossing Saturday morning.
Video current: 9:00am AEST 7 March 2025.
Latest forecasts and warnings: https://t.co/4W35o8iFmh or the BOM Weather app. pic.twitter.com/b8CGg0zGHv
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) March 7, 2025
Wind and Rainfall Forecast
Wind gusts are expected to exceed 155 km/h, with heavy rainfall intensifying over Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and northern NSW. Flash flooding remains a major concern, particularly in low-lying areas. The system is also expected to generate dangerous waves and coastal erosion, especially during high tide.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has urged residents to take the warnings seriously, stating, “The wind will come in strong. The rain will come back again, and Saturday will be the danger zone for flash flooding.”
Evacuate Now: Urgent Warning from Authorities
Sergeant Scott Allerton has issued a final warning for those still in evacuation zones, urging them to leave within the next few hours if they have not already done so.
“I strongly encourage everyone that has been living or who is in the evacuation zone to leave now. The weather will deteriorate over the next few hours, and then it may be too late to leave.”
He stressed that there will not be enough boats or rescue teams available if people fail to heed evacuation orders. Currently, 178 Australian Defence Force (ADF) officers are already on the ground, alongside 35 clearance vehicles capable of navigating floodwaters.
Figure 2: A police boat struggles amid record-breaking waves at Coolangatta, southern Queensland. [David Gray/AFP/Getty Images]
Allerton also warned that high tides remain a significant threat, and many beaches have already been affected. He emphasized that although the situation is already dangerous, the cyclone has not yet even made landfall, meaning conditions will worsen significantly in the coming hours.
Power Outages and Infrastructure Impact
The cyclone has already caused widespread power outages across southeast Queensland and northern NSW. In Queensland, 44,646 homes are currently without power, while in NSW, 36,000 homes remain affected. This brings the total number of affected customers to approximately 75,000. Energy providers Energex and Essential Energy have confirmed that repair crews are on standby but will only begin restoration efforts once it is deemed safe.
Figure 3: Roads covered in water and fallen debris [James D Morgan/Getty Images]
Schrinner also warned about the potential dangers of loose objects, stating, “Bins can become projectiles. We don’t want to see them causing a problem.” He urged residents to secure outdoor furniture and items that could become hazardous in strong winds.
Expected Impact on Transportation
Authorities have confirmed that bridge closures will occur once wind speeds reach 90 km/h, following engineering safety recommendations. Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, as road conditions will rapidly deteriorate due to flash flooding and fallen debris. Brisbane City Council has lifted all parking restrictions to allow residents to move their vehicles to safer locations without penalty.
Schrinner confirmed, “This gives people the opportunity to park their cars wherever they can park safely.”
Coastal Erosion and Flooding Risks
BoM reports that creeks and low-lying areas pose the greatest flood risk. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation but have confirmed that dams are not expected to contribute to flooding at this time.
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Schrinner added, “It’s the creeks across Brisbane and South East Queensland that we are more concerned about.”
Insurance Industry Prepares for Disaster Response
The Insurance Council of Australia has activated emergency response protocols in anticipation of a large volume of claims following the cyclone’s impact. Insurers are working with government agencies to coordinate efforts in managing supply chain disruptions, temporary accommodation for displaced residents, and cross-border recognition of trades qualifications.
The council has also highlighted the need for rapid clean-up operations once conditions allow. Council CEO Andrew Hall stated that insurers have disaster response teams ready to assist affected communities, acknowledging the significant challenge posed by the population density in impacted areas.
Additional Incident: Shark Attack in Sydney
In an unrelated event, a woman in her 30s was attacked by a shark at Gunyah Beach, near Bundeena. Emergency services responded at 1:30 PM, and paramedics treated her at the scene before she was airlifted to hospital with serious leg injuries.
Authorities Urge Residents to Remain Cautious
Lord Mayor Schrinner has reinforced that Cyclone Alfred remains a major threat, particularly due to its impact on a highly populated region. He warned, “We are not out of the woods. The response is not an overreaction. This could be something incredibly serious.”
Residents across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and northern NSW should evacuate now if they have not already done so, stay indoors, monitor official updates, and avoid unnecessary travel. Authorities expect severe conditions to persist well into Saturday.
