Tropical Cyclone Alfred lost its strength and downgraded to a tropical low as it neared Brisbane on Saturday, but it’s still bringing heavy rain and dangerous flooding to Australia’s east coast. Brisbane, the country’s third-largest city, had been bracing for a rare direct hit from a cyclone — something that hasn’t happened since 1974.
On Friday, Alfred was still packing a punch, with winds reaching speeds of 59 mph and gusts up to 81 mph. But by early Saturday, the storm weakened, with winds dropping below 39 mph — the threshold for a tropical cyclone.
Even though Alfred is no longer a cyclone, the weather system is still expected to cause trouble as it moves inland. The Bureau of Meteorology warned of heavy rain, flooding, and dangerous surf conditions across southeast Queensland and parts of northeast New South Wales.
Rivers in both states are already overflowing after days of relentless rainfall, and the situation is getting more serious. In New South Wales, emergency crews have rescued 39 people from rising floodwaters, and one man is still missing after being swept away by a river on Friday. Meanwhile, more than 19,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes in low-lying areas.
As Alfred moves closer to the coast between Bribie Island and the Sunshine Coast, residents are being urged to stay safe and stay informed. While the storm may have weakened, the risk of flooding and dangerous conditions remains very real.
