Australia is preparing to hit the Alfred tropical cyclone. According to forecasts, the element carrying gusty wind and downpour is to reach the east coast of the country on Thursday or Friday. Local services designated the warning zone, and also began the evacuation of residents of the most endangered areas.
Currently, Alfred is a second category cyclone, which means that it carries a wind that can reach 130 km/h in gusts. According to the Australian Meteorological Office (BOM), the element will maintain its intensity in the coming days, and at the turn of Thursday and Friday it will reach the east coast of Australia. Local authorities have created a warning zone that extends from the Sunshine Coast located in the south-eastern part of the state of Queensland to Yamba, New South Wales.
“The cyclone has strengthened and all available information shows that this is something that we should take seriously,” said the prime minister of Queensland, David Crisafulli.
Forecast route of crossing the Alfred cycloneAustralian Bureau of Meteorology
Flood threat
Experts estimate that the effects of the Alfred cyclone impact can feel up to four million people. About 20,000 houses in Brisbane are at risk of flooding caused by powerful storm waves. The city's authorities recommended the residents to consider leaving their apartments. Evacuation campaigns have already begun on some of the islands near Australia.
– We expect wind with a speed of over 90 km/h in the exposed coastal areas in late hours on Wednesday – said Sue Oatses from the Australian Meteorological Office. Some warnings will come into force from Tuesday.
Alfred will also bring heavy rainfall in the following days. In some areas, up to 200 to 400 liters of water per square meter may fall within 24 hours.
Source of the main photo: stock.adobe.com/bom