Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 7:53 am EST on Wednesday 5 March 2025
Headline:

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is moving west towards the southeast Queensland coast.
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

Sandy Cape to Double Island Point in Queensland, including K'gari.
Details of Tropical Cyclone Alfred 22U at 7:00 am AEST [8:00 am 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 28.0 degrees South 157.3 degrees East, estimated to be 425 kilometres east of Brisbane and 390 kilometres east of Gold Coast.

Movement: west at 11 kilometres per hour.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is moving west towards the southeast Queensland coast.

Alfred is a category 2 cyclone and is forecast to maintain this intensity as it approaches the southeast Queensland coast on Thursday. Alfred is expected to cross the coast early Friday morning, most likely between Maroochydore and Coolangatta.
Hazards:

Gales with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 kilometres per hour are expected to develop along the southeast Queensland and northeastern New South Wales coastal and island communities between Double Island Point and Grafton from later today and persist on Thursday.

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 from Thursday afternoon as Alfred's destructive core approaches and crosses the coast.

A DANGEROUS STORM TIDE may occur along the coastal foreshore, particularly in areas near and south of the cyclone centre, if the time of coastal crossing coincides with the high tide early Friday morning. Tides are likely to rise significantly above the highest high tide mark with damaging waves and dangerous inundation of coastal low-lying areas.

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

Heavy rainfall is forecast 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 the coast late on Thursday and persist into Friday. A 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).

Current Tropical Cyclones