Rare Tropical Cyclone Swirls Off Eastern Australia

SYDNEY, 4 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – A heavily populated stretch of Australia’s eastern coastline braced itself on Tuesday as a rare tropical cyclone threatened to make landfall—the first such event in the region in half a century.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred was churning approximately 550 kilometres (340 miles) east of Brisbane, with meteorological models predicting its trajectory towards the mainland later in the day.

According to Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Dean Narramore, the storm is expected to cross the coast late Thursday or early Friday, making landfall between metropolitan Brisbane and the renowned tourist destination, the Sunshine Coast.

“It is not record-breaking, but it is certainly unusual,” Narramore told AFP, noting that no tropical cyclone has struck this part of Australia since 1974.

A Rare and Dangerous Threat

The stretch of coastline between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast is home to nearly three million people, famed for its subtropical climate, golden beaches, and bustling tourism industry.

While cyclones frequently form in Australia’s northern waters, it is uncommon for them to track this far south, putting densely populated areas at risk.

Officials warned that the flood-prone northern rivers region of New South Wales, situated just south of Brisbane, could also experience severe impacts from the storm.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns urged communities to “be prepared for the worst”, as authorities assessed potential evacuation zones.

Climate researcher Tom Mortlock attributed the cyclone’s intensity to abnormally warm sea surface temperatures.

“Tropical Cyclone Alfred is a stark reminder that cyclones are still capable of tracking further south,” he said, reinforcing concerns over the increasing impact of climate change on extreme weather events.

Potential Destruction and Disruptions

Tropical Cyclone Alfred, a category two system, is forecast to bring “damaging” winds reaching speeds of 120 kilometres (75 miles) per hour. Authorities also warned of the likelihood of “dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding”, particularly in low-lying areas.

As a precaution, several major events have already been cancelled. The Women’s Professional Golf Association event and the Gold Coast Festival of Golf were called off on Tuesday due to the “impending impact” of the storm. Organisers of Australia’s second-largest triathlon are also reconsidering whether the competition can proceed safely.