Gold coast, Australia: As Cyclone Alfred approaches Australia’s Gold Coast, strong winds and rising swells have prompted authorities to urge residents to stay indoors. However, dedicated surfers have been taking advantage of the conditions, braving the powerful waves.
Jeff Weatherall, a surfer at Kirra Beach, said that, “This is what we look forward to, as he prepared for another day in the water. For five days straight, all I’ve done is eat, sleep, and surf.”
Kirra Beach, renowned for its surf breaks, has been a hub of activity as surfers anticipate the cyclone’s arrival. Expected to make landfall as a category two system on Saturday morning, Cyclone Alfred has been progressing slowly and unpredictably, delaying its impact.
According to meteorologist Matthew Collopy from the Bureau of Meteorology, the cyclone’s centre is producing winds of up to 95 km/h (59 mph), with gusts reaching 130 km/h (81 mph).
The storm threatens a vast region, including the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast, and Brisbane—Australia’s third-largest city—putting four million people at risk.
Residents in affected areas are facing severe weather conditions. “It’s serious—some people are going to lose their homes,” said local surfer Donnie Neal. “But right now, the surf is just insane.”
Cyclone Alfred is set to bring up to 800mm of rainfall, raising concerns about flash and riverine flooding across southern Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Forecast track maps for Tropical #CycloneAlfred (cat 2) are published hourly on our website. Latest: https://t.co/VRWX6YDrNx
Alfred is likely to cross mainland #Qld between #Noosa and #Beenleigh on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/i2qVrmZpF1
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) March 7, 2025
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reassured the nation, acknowledging the tough conditions but emphasizing Australia’s resilience.
By Friday (7th of March), more than 80,000 people were without power, and tens of thousands faced evacuation orders.
Nearly 1,000 schools had shut down, public transport was suspended, and airports were closed, with flights unlikely to resume before Sunday (9th of March). Elective surgeries were also cancelled.
Authorities have been distributing sandbags in preparation for severe flooding. Queensland, known for its extreme weather, rarely experiences cyclones this far south. The last such event occurred in 1974 with Cyclones Wanda and Zoe.
With supermarkets shut and residents taking shelter, uncertainty looms as Australians brace for Cyclone Alfred’s impact.
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