Cyclone Alfred Expected to Hit Brisbane—Here’s What to Know

By Hannah Mathew · Mar 6, 2025

Cyclone Alfred Expected to Hit Brisbane—Here’s What to Know

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is intensifying as it moves toward Australia’s eastern coast, bringing destructive winds, torrential rains, and dangerous storm surges.

  • Current Strength: Category 2 cyclone
  • Wind Speeds: Sustained winds between 89-117 km/h (55-73 mph), with gusts reaching 155 km/h (96 mph)
  • Location (as of Thursday morning GMT):
    • 225 km (140 miles) east of Brisbane
    • 210 km (130 miles) east-northeast of the Gold Coast
  • Movement: Slowly moving westward at 7 km/h (4 mph)

Where and When Will Cyclone Alfred Make Landfall?

According to Queensland’s Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), Alfred is expected to make landfall late Friday or early Saturday near Brisbane, Australia’s third most populous city with 2.5 million residents.

This is the first cyclone to hit Brisbane in over 50 years, raising concerns about the region’s preparedness. The last cyclone, Cyclone Zoe in 1974, led to catastrophic flooding.

What to Expect

Residents across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and Northern NSW should prepare for severe weather conditions over the coming days.

Damaging Winds

  • Sustained winds between 89-117 km/h, with gusts up to 155 km/h
  • Risk of widespread power outages, uprooted trees, and damaged buildings

Extreme Rainfall and Flooding

  • Up to 800 mm (31.5 inches) of rain expected in some areas—more than the average total for March
  • Flash flooding and river surges expected as the cyclone moves inland

Storm Surges and Coastal Erosion

  • Waves as high as 5 meters (16 feet) already hitting beaches
  • Potential coastal inundation in low-lying areas
  • Beaches closed, with authorities warning residents to stay away from the coastline

Evacuations and Emergency Measures

Authorities are urging residents in flood-prone areas to evacuate before Friday night.

Key Evacuation Orders Issued For:

  • Brisbane and the Gold Coast – Over 20,000 homes at risk of flooding
  • Northern NSW towns – Including Byron Bay, Uki, Tumbulgum, and Lismore

Evacuation Centers Open:

  • Brisbane Showgrounds to serve as a cyclone refuge center
  • Additional centers being set up across Queensland for displaced residents

Flood Defense Efforts:

  • 250,000 sandbags distributed in Brisbane and the Gold Coast
  • Military providing 80,000 more sandbags to high-risk areas

Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner warned that thousands of homes could be affected, urging residents to prepare emergency kits and stay updated on weather alerts.

Major Disruptions Across Queensland and NSW

The cyclone has led to widespread closures and service suspensions, including:

Flights and Transport Disruptions

  • Qantas and Virgin have canceled flights at Brisbane and Gold Coast airports
  • Gold Coast Airport closed from Wednesday afternoon
  • All bus and train services in southeast Queensland suspended until further notice
  • Brisbane’s CityCat ferries halted due to dangerous river conditions

Schools and Businesses Shut Down

How Long Will Alfred Last?

Forecasters warn that Alfred’s impacts could last for several days, with floodwaters rising even after the cyclone moves inland.

  • Worst conditions expected from Thursday night to Saturday morning
  • Rain and strong winds may persist into next week

How to Prepare for Cyclone Alfred

Authorities are urging residents to take the following safety precautions:

  • Secure windows and doors: Install shutters or board them up to prevent damage
  • Stock up on essentials: Food, water, batteries, medications, and emergency supplies
  • Prepare an emergency kit: Include flashlights, a battery-powered radio, first aid supplies, and important documents
  • Plan evacuation routes: Be aware of nearby evacuation centers
  • Avoid the coastline: High waves and storm surges make beaches extremely dangerous