Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Southeast Coast and parts of Wide Bay and Burnett and Darling Downs and Granite Belt Forecast Districts.

Issued at 5:17 pm Friday, 7 March 2025.

HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL AND DAMAGING TO DESTRUCTIVE WINDS EXPECTED OVER SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND.

Weather Situation: Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues to move slowly to the west and is expected to make landfall along the southeast Queensland coast during Saturday morning before moving inland during the weekend. Bands of heavy rainfall have been occurring over the southeast coast today, with damaging winds now affecting coastal and island communities.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is developing across the Moreton Bay islands, Gold Coast and Scenic Rim this evening, forecast to become more widespread over central parts of the Southeast Coast district as the system approaches the coast, including Brisbane, Ipswich, and Caboolture into Saturday. 6-hourly rainfall totals between 70 and 130 mm are likely today, increasing to between 100 and 130 mm through Saturday and into Sunday morning, with possible isolated 6-hourly totals of between 170 mm and 200 mm about higher terrain. 24-hourly totals of between 200 and 250 mm are likely.

Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING may develop late this evening and continue into Saturday near and south of the system centre, and in bands of showers and thunderstorms wrapping around the system. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 200 and 250 mm and 24-hourly totals between 350 and 450 mm are possible. All rainfall numbers are dependent on the movement and position of the system.

DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 65 km/h with peak gusts to 120 km/h continue this afternoon over the island communities, and are likely to develop later this evening over the rest of the southeast Queensland coast. This risk will then extend more broadly across the warning area late tonight and into Saturday, especially within showers and thunderstorms.

DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS of up to 155 km/h associated with Tropical Cyclone Alfred may develop about coastal, island and elevated locations near and to the south of the system centre from late Friday evening into Saturday morning. Locally DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS are also possible in showers and thunderstorms along the coastal fringe between the Sunshine Coast and Coolangatta, and also near and south of Alfred s centre into the weekend.

A Tropical Cyclone Advice and Forecast Track Map is current for Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

A Coastal Hazard Warning and Hazardous Surf Warning is current.

A Flood Watch and Flood Warnings are current for southern and southeastern Queensland.

For these products, see http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings/

Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Maroochydore, Gympie, Stanthorpe, Caboolture, Coolangatta and Ipswich.

100 km/h wind gust was recorded at Gold Coast Airport (Coolangatta) at 1:43 am.

Emergency services advise people to:
* If you have children make sure they are with you or an adult you trust.
* Pack away, secure or tie down outdoor furniture, toys and trampolines if it s safe to do so.
* Park your car undercover away from trees.
* Close doors and windows.
* Keep asthma medications close by. Storms and wind can trigger asthma attacks.
* Charge mobile phones and power banks in case the power goes out.
* Put your pets somewhere safe and make sure they can be identified in case they get lost.
* Do not drive now unless you have to because conditions are dangerous.
* Tell friends, family and neighbours in the area.
* Go inside a strong building now. Stay inside until the storm has passed.