Tropical Cyclone Alfred has slowed down, with the latest reports by experts predicting that the weather system will reach the coast close to Moreton Bay late Friday or early Saturday. Due to the slow-moving nature of the category two cyclone, intense weather conditions will likely be sustained for long periods of time.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Christie Johnson, residents in affected areas will “feel the effects well and truly before it makes landfall”.
“It’ll be those sort of conditions that we’re used to seeing for 20 minutes or so at a time with a thunderstorm coming through … but potentially sustained for six hours or more,” she told ABC Radio Brisbane.
Despite the ongoing destructive weather conditions, the delayed onset of Cyclone Alfred has given residents more time to evacuate.
Earlier this morning, NSW SES issued emergency flood warnings for northern NSW locations, including Lismore, Tumbulgum, Stotts Island, Kyogle, parts of Coraki, Bungawalbin, Billindudgel and the Pocket, Fingal Head and Uki.
People residing in parts of Bowravukkem Gumma, Macksville and north Macksville have been told to evacuate before 8am today. The SES have also issued warnings to some areas in Port Macquarie such as North Shore, Settlement Point, Hastings River Drive and Hibbard River Drive.
NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz has also warned against driving in these conditions.
“We’re encouraging people to please don’t drive out unless you are under evacuation orders. Please stay indoors and stay safe, but importantly do not drive through floodwaters,” she told ABC News Breakfast.
Meanwhile, in Queensland, more than 28,650 homes across the southeast of the state have lost power.
The Brisbane City Council has decided to close access to sandbags at Brisbane depots to protect residents. However, they have opened refuge centres for people in high-risk areas.
“These are places of refuge throughout the storm, peak activity,” Brisbane’s Deputy Mayor Fiona Cunningham said, per the ABC.
“So when it is bearing down on our city, the place of refuge is to go if you are in one of the areas that has been identified on the map.”
For information on how to prepare for a cyclone, click HERE. 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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