Cyclone Alfred Approaches Queensland and Northern NSW, Bringing Severe Weather Threats

The Category 2 storm, the first to hit southeast Queensland in over 50 years, is expected to make landfall Friday with destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding risks.

Cyclone Alfred has slowed its approach toward the Queensland coast, delaying landfall to Friday afternoon and prolonging extreme weather conditions.
Authorities have issued flood evacuation warnings for northern NSW towns, including Ballina, Tweed Heads, and Byron Bay, as rainfall totals could reach up to 800mm in some areas.
Destructive winds of up to 155km/h and dangerous storm surges are anticipated, with significant risks of coastal erosion and flash flooding.
Schools, public transport, and airports in affected regions have been closed, while emergency services and evacuation centers are preparing for the storm's impact.
Experts highlight the storm's unusual westward trajectory and its potential link to climate change, as warm ocean waters sustain its intensity further south than typical cyclones.