Alfred tropical cyclone is approaching the east coast of Australia. The element makes the waves at sea exceed 10 meters high. This is the first cyclone in over 50 years that will hit Brisbane – experts from the Australian Meteorological Office (BOM) report.
On Thursday afternoon, the local Tropical Cyclone Alfred was located 250 kilometers east of the city of Brisbane in Australia. According to experts from the Australian Meteorological Office (BOM), his slow and “irregular” creep towards the land is becoming more and more difficult to predict.
Local authorities have created a warning zone that extends from Cape Double Island Point for the city of Yamba, Queensland.
The strong wind accompanying the element has knocked down trees that damaged the energy lines. Over four thousand houses are free of electricity – Essential Energy said on Thursday, which provides electricity. Over 900 schools were closed due to the flood risk in the entire state of Queensland.
Forecast route of crossing the Alfred cycloneAustralian Bureau of Meteorology
This is the first cyclone in over 50 years that will hit the Brisbane region
The effects of a cyclone impact can be felt by about four million inhabitants of the 400-kilometer section of the coast. “We are already observing how hard it blows,” she said in an interview with the AFP Sarah Scully agency, a meteorologist with BOM. “Very large waves have appeared, they are generated by Alfred,” she added.
The element will bring heavy rainfall with it. In some areas, it may fall within a day from 200 to 400 liters per square meter. “Over 200 liters of rain have dropped in a square meter now,” Scully said. She added that people are preparing for the flood – they accumulate food, arrange sands with sand in front of the buildings.
According to Bom, Alfred will hit the vibrant center of Brisbane. This is the first cyclone since 1974 that will hit this area. “Many people are in danger,” said Jim Chalmers, Minister of the Australian Treasury. “It is rare for the cyclone to be so far in the south and threatened such a huge population,” he added.
Millions of inhabitants of the east coast of Australia are preparing to hit the cyclonePAP/EPA/JASON O'Brien
Powerful waves and surfers
On Gold Coast, south of Brisbane, a 12.4 meter wave was registered. It was the highest wave ever recorded at this monitoring station.
Giant waves attracted surf lovers. According to the Gold Coast authorities, the entrance to the water in such a situation is extremely dangerous. “I'm just stunned that people can be so stupid.” This is a huge act of stupidity – said the duties of the mayor of Gold Coast Donna Gates.
Alfred cyclone generates huge waves PAP/EPA/JASON O'Brien
Source of the main photo: PAP/EPA/JASON O'Brien