Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 7:44 pm EST on Wednesday 5 March 2025

Headline:
Impacts from Tropical Cyclone Alfred increasing for southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales overnight.

Areas Affected:
Warning Zone
Double Island Point in Queensland to Grafton in New South Wales, including Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Byron Bay and Ballina but not including Grafton.

Watch Zone
None.

Cancelled Zone
None.

Details of Tropical Cyclone Alfred 22U at 7:00 pm AEST [8:00 pm AEDT]:
Intensity: Category 2, sustained winds near the centre of 95 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 130 kilometres per hour.

Location: within 30 kilometres of 27.4 degrees South 156.7 degrees East, estimated to be 365 kilometres east of Brisbane and 340 kilometres east northeast of Gold Coast.

Movement: northwest at 7 kilometres per hour.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred will continue its approach towards the southeast Queensland coast tonight, with the far western edge already impacting the coast from about Coolangatta to Ballina.

Alfred is a category 2 cyclone, and is forecast to maintain this intensity as it continues to approach the southeast Queensland coast. The centre of Alfred is expected to cross the coast during Friday, noting that latest weather model data indicates the potential for a later crossing time than previously indicated. Location of crossing still remains most likely between Maroochydore and Coolangatta.

Hazards:
Gales with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 kilometres per hour are developing near the coast from Coolangatta to Ballina. Gales with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 kilometres per hour are expected to develop along the remaining southeast Queensland and northeastern New South Wales coastal and island communities between Double Island Point and Grafton overnight and during Thursday morning, persisting through Friday.

DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS of up to 155 kilometres per hour may develop about coastal and island locations near and to the south of the track, possibly as far south as about Cape Byron, late Thursday or early Friday as Alfred's destructive core approaches and crosses the coast. DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS may extend to the mainland areas close to the centre during Friday.

A DANGEROUS STORM TIDE is likely along the coastal foreshore for exposed areas near and south of the cyclone centre, possible as far south as Cape Byron, if the time of coastal crossing coincides with the high tide. Tides are likely to rise significantly above the highest high tide mark with damaging waves and dangerous inundation of coastal low-lying areas.

There is a possibility that DANGEROUSLY HIGH TIDES could cause further coastal erosion and some inundation of low-lying areas near exposed beaches on the Gold Coast, including to the NSW/Qld border and the Tweed Coast. This is dependent on how Alfred behaves as it approaches the coast.

ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES are likely to continue causing MINOR FLOODING of coastal low lying areas between Double Island Point and Grafton, particularly during the time of high tides early Thursday morning (Wednesday night), early Friday morning (Thursday night) and early Saturday morning (Friday night). DAMAGING SURF leading to significant beach erosion remains likely for the open beaches between Double Island Point and Grafton, and further south over the New South Wales coast. Separate Coastal Hazard and Hazardous Surf Warning are current for southeast Queensland and northeastern New South Wales coasts.

HEAVY RAINFALL may develop for southeast Queensland and northeastern New South Wales from Thursday. HEAVY to locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING may occur near and south of the cyclone centre as Alfred approaches and crosses the coast. Separate Severe Weather Warning and Flood Watch are current for southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales.

Refer to associated warnings for Queensland and New South Wales at http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings.

Recommended Action:
People between Double Island Point in Queensland and Grafton in New South Wales should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property.

- For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit the Get Ready Queensland website (www.getready.qld.gov.au)

- If you choose to take shelter away from your home, stay COVID-19 safe and pack a mask and hand sanitiser (if you have them).

- For emergency assistance call the Queensland State Emergency Service or New South Wales State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).

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