Australians in Queensland and some parts of northern NSW are bracing for Tropical Cylone Alfred, the first tropical cyclone to make it to land since 1974.
Overnight, experts declared that the incoming cyclone had been upgraded from a category one to category two as it heads towards south-east Queensland with sustained winds of 95 kilometres per hour near the centre and gusts up to 130 kilometres per hour.
According to latest reports, the system is sitting about 560km east of Brisbane. It is expected to make a turn later today, and make landfall between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane at a category two strength late Thursday or early Friday. However, residents in northern NSW areas such as Byron Bay, Lismore, Yamba and Grafton could possibly feel the effects of the cyclone.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the biggest hazards faced by citizens in the area are damaging winds, heavy rainfall — which can lead to dangerous flash flooding — and abnormally high tides.
As a result, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has warned residents that it’s time to put safety measures in place to stay safe during the wild weather event.
“Now’s the time to prepare”, Crisafulli said, per the Sydney Morning Herald.
“We are putting all the preparations in place, and we’re asking Queenslanders to do the same. It is important that people take this event seriously.”
Cyclone Alfred is expected to be the first cyclone in 50 years to make landfall since cyclones Zoe and Wanda in 1974.
You can check out all the associated cyclone warnings HERE. If you’re in an affected cyclone area, you can find advice HERE.
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