Tropical Cyclone Alfred live updates: What Aussies need to know as it barrels towards coast

Travellers headed to or from Ballina Byron Gateway Airport are set to face trouble as Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia cancel flights from the holiday hotspot.

Jetstar cancelled its two flights from Sydney (JQ459, JQ461) and one from Melbourne (JQ465).

Its three flights departing from Ballina will be cancelled.

Qantas and Virgin Australia each axed their Wednesday service (QF2062/QF2063, VA1139/VA1140) in and out of Ballina.

Virgin also cancelled its service for Thursday too.

The update comes as the Bureau warns Cyclone Alfred could re-develop into a category three system.

‘The possibility of the system reaching a low-end category 3 strength before making landfall cannot be ruled out, but remains a low risk,’ it advised in its latest technical report.

Residents have been warned to leave or prepare for the worst, with a tropical cyclone on track to cross a densely populated part of Australia’s east coast for the first time in 50 years.

Cyclone Alfred is looming off Queensland’s coast, threatening to bring heavy rainfall, damaging winds and monster waves.

As of 5am on Wednesday, Alfred was tracking as a category two system about 465km east of Brisbane and 430km off the Gold Coast, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) confirmed.

The cyclone is forecast to cross between Queensland’s K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) and the Gold Coast on Thursday or Friday as a category one or two system.

Alfred is predicted to bring winds upwards of 120km/h, with some areas expecting upwards of 700mm of rain.

On Wednesday morning, BoM issued an official warning zone stretching 650km from Double Island Point in Queensland to Grafton in northern NSW. The zone includes Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Byron Bay and Ballina, but doesn’t include Grafton.

‘People between Double Island Point and Grafton should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property,’ the Bureau said.

In Brisbane alone, 20,000 homes are at risk of flooding, with an additional 6,000 homes at risk on the Gold Coast, local council modelling shows.

The suburbs of Brighton, Windsor, Ashgrove, Morningside, Rocklea, Coopers Plains, Carina, Sandgate, Hemmant, Lota, Tingalpa, Indooroopilly, Albion, Bardon and Wynnum West are most at risk.

On the Gold Coast, the suburbs most at risk from are Surfers Paradise, Paradise Point and Elanora.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner urged residents in these areas to evacuate.

‘These 20,000 properties could experience anything from minor inundation in their yards to significant flooding inside homes,’ he said.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli urged residents to ‘stay on their guard’ and prepare for the possible destruction of the incoming storm.

The major factors being prepared for by the authorities are wave swell and erosion, damage by destructive winds, and significant rain which could lead to flooding.

Mr Crisafulli said a 7m wave had already been recorded off North Stradbroke Island.

‘That should give you an indication that this is a serious system and those reports will continue,’ he said.

In NSW, additional SES crews began arriving in the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast on Tuesday as the state government ramped up preparations for the potential impact of the cyclone.

The SES is leading the response and working with other emergency services and government agencies.

Residents of the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast have been warned to prepare for damaging winds, large surf and heavy rainfall, with low lying areas at risk of coastal erosion.

From Wednesday onwards intense rain is predicted, which could lead to moderate and major flooding in many areas, with the potential to close roads, inundate properties and lead to evacuations.

‘Now is the time for residents in the affected areas to get ready for damaging winds, large powerful surf, coastal erosion and intense and heavy rainfall,’ the NSW Emergency Services minister Jihad Dib said.

‘We are asking the community to take steps now to ensure that if you are asked to evacuate your home you have a plan for this and know where you will go.’

North Coast minister Rose Jackson said ‘The Northern Rivers community is strong and resilient, but we know this weather event is causing a real concern.

We assure the community – emergency services are on the ground and ready to help.’

For emergency assistance call the Queensland or NSW SES on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).

More than 700mm of rain could inundate parts of southeast Queensland and northeast NSW later this week as Tropical Cyclone Alfred makes landfall.

‘Based on current forecasts, heavy rain, damaging to destructive winds, very large waves and a storm surge are all likely to affect parts of southeast Queensland and northeast NSW, most likely between Wednesday and Friday, with flooding and rain also continuing into the weekend,’ Weatherzone said.

‘Rainfall is likely to be the biggest threat from this system, with widespread heavy rain expected across southeast Queensland and northeast NSW. Some forecast models anticipate accumulated totals of more than 500mm of rain from Alfred in parts of southeast Queensland and northern NSW, particularly over elevated ranges and hinterland regions. There is potential for isolated pockets of more than 1000 mm from Alfred.

‘Flood watches have been issued in southeast Queensland and northeast NSW in response to the predicted rainfall, with major flooding likely in both states.’

The NSW Education Department has shared a list of 122 schools from Clarence Valley to Kyogle Shire which have closed.

The closures will remain in place from Wednesday to Friday.

“We request families do not send your children to school for the next three days.”Our school staff will be onsite this morning in case the message is not received in time,” a department spokesperson told the ABC.

Schools are set to resume operation on Monday, March 10.

‘We don’t want people in a dangerous situation or vulnerable situation in the coming 48 hours,’ NSW Premier Chris Minns said.

The Queensland Department of Education said schools will stay open on Wednesday, while schools on North Stradbroke and Moreton Bay islands will be open for supervision only.

‘Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to cross the South East Queensland coast either late Thursday evening or early Friday morning,’ a spokesperson said.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli warned there was a ‘very strong’ likelihood they may close when Alfred crosses the coast.

‘This is certainly an event that doesn’t happen a lot for this part of the state, but it isn’t unprecedented and I am asking Queenslanders to be ready for it,’ he said.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s latest advice has warned strong winds and heavy rain will soon hit southeast Queensland and northeastern NSW.

Gales with damaging wind gusts travelling up to 120 kilometres per hour are expected to develop between Double Island Point and Grafton from later today and persist on Thursday.

Gales may extend further north from Double Island Point to Sandy Cape during Thursday if Alfred tracks further to the north.

Destructive wind gusts of up to 155 kilometres per hour may develop about coastal and island locations near and to the south of the track from Thursday afternoon as Alfred’s destructive core approaches and crosses the coast.

A dangerous storm tide may occur along the coastal foreshore, particularly in areas near and south of the cyclone centre, if the time of coastal crossing coincides with the high tide during Thursday night or early Friday morning.

Tides are likely to rise significantly above the highest high tide mark with damaging waves and dangerous inundation of coastal low-lying areas.

Abnormally high tides are likely to continue causing minor flooding of coastal low lying areas between Sandy Cape and Grafton, particularly during the time of high tides early Thursday morning and early Friday morning.

Damaging surf leading to significant beach erosion remains likely for the open beaches between Sandy Cape and Grafton, and further south over NSW coast.

A separate Coastal Hazard and Hazardous Surf Warning is current for southeast Queensland and northeastern NSW coasts.

Heavy rainfall is forecast for southeast Queensland and northeastern NSW from Thursday.

Heavy to locally intense rainfall, which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding, could occur near and south of the cyclone centre as Alfred approaches the coast late on Thursday.

A separate Severe Weather Warning and Flood Watch are current for southeast Queensland and northeast NSW.

The Bureau will share more advice in the coming hour.

Several evacuation centres will open on NSW’s north coast at 4pm today.

Those centres include Kingscliff TAFE, Murwillumbah TAFE, the Ocean Shores Country Club, Coraki Public School, Kyogle Memorial Hall, Southern Cross University and Evans Head RSL.

NSW SES Deputy State Duty Commander Brigid Rice called on those in the Northern Rivers impact zone to move from the area.

‘It is recommended you consider relocating your family and your pets out of that zone,’ she told the ABC.

‘That’s particularly for any area that floods on a regular basis but also those that are close to the coast.’

Residents have been warned to leave or prepare for the worst, with a tropical cyclone on track to cross a densely populated part of Australia’s coast for the first time in 50 years.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is looming off Queensland’s coast, threatening to bring heavy rainfall, damaging winds and monster waves.

It is forecast to cross between Queensland’s K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) and the Gold Coast on Thursday or Friday as a category one or two system.

In Brisbane alone, 20,000 homes are at risk of flooding, with an additional 6,000 homes at risk on the Gold Coast, local council modelling shows.

The suburbs of Brighton, Windsor, Ashgrove, Morningside, Rocklea, Coopers Plains, Carina, Sandgate, Hemmant, Lota, Tingalpa, Indooroopilly, Albion, Bardon and Wynnum West are most at risk.

On the Gold Coast, the suburbs most at risk from Tropical Cyclone Alfred are Surfers Paradise, Paradise Point and Elanora.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner urged residents in these areas to evacuate.

‘These 20,000 properties could experience anything from minor inundation in their yards to significant flooding inside homes,’ he said.

People have been accused of acting like ‘vultures’ as a heavily populated Australian coastal region braces for a cyclone to hit for the first time in 50 years.

A long wait for sandbags has ended in frustration in a region bracing for a rare cyclone direct hit after people were accused of acting like ‘vultures’.

More sandbagging sites have opened across the region as people attempt to safeguard their homes, but Morningside local Matthew Formosa still couldn’t get his fill.

He tried to get sandbags twice on Monday night but after a 40 minute wait was turned away at the 24-hour depot.

Mr Formosa returned at 5am on Tuesday hoping to beat the rush but still had to wait almost three hours to collect just eight bags.

‘There was no real order in getting the sandbags it is just like, once they have dumped there everyone is like vultures,’ he told AAP.

Mr Formosa was told on Tuesday there was a two-hour wait as sand had run out at the depot.

He criticised the lack of support staff to help the elderly load sandbags into their cars.

‘Seeing older people carrying a bag and struggling, it just has to be an easier way for them to help them out,’ he said.

He was hoping to collect sandbags for his partner in Capalaba, south of Brisbane, who was worried flooding may inundate her home after a few near misses over the years.

‘We’re just trying to prevent it if it does happen, but hopefully it’ll blow away,’ he said of Alfred.

About 100,000 sandbags have been collected in the past three days in Brisbane alone as it hunkers down for Alfred.

Authorities have called for calm before the storm, with panic buying also widespread in southeast Queensland ahead of Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s arrival.

The fruit and vegetable manager at Sam Coco Trading in Brisbane told Daily Mail Australia people are trying to get their hands on two items.

‘They’re taking water and toilet paper,’ Troy said.

‘Since Covid, they just do it and we prepare for it. Covid has made us used to panic buying.

‘It’s clear as a bell at the moment. There’s no sign of the cyclone but they’re all panic buying. It’s pretty much just staples.

‘There’s about to be plenty of water coming from the sky but they’re still buying it.’

Rainfall and strong wind gusts have begun ahead of the cyclone expected to make landfall between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane on Thursday evening or Friday morning.

It will mark the first time a cyclone has hit the southeast Queensland coast since 1974.

Supermarket shelves have been stripped bare in some stores as locals brace for impact, prompting a call for calm.

Sunshine Coast Police Superintendent Craig Hawkins said there were no supply issues and no need to panic buy ahead of the cyclone’s arrival.

‘Get what you need but be respectful of others who also need supplies to get through this,’ he told reporters on Tuesday.

The worst of Alfred’s impact once it makes landfall will hit the state’s southern flank, including Brisbane, the Gold Coast and NSW’s Northern Rivers.

Beaches and university campuses have closed, ferry services have stopped and Gold Coast theme parks are set to shut down from Wednesday as Alfred looms.

Emergency services, telco providers and Energex crews have bolstered the region.

‘Today’s a really, really key day for everyone … today’s the day that we’ve got to get those logistics right so I’m asking people to take it seriously,’ Queensland Premier David Crisafulli told ABC Radio Brisbane on Tuesday.

Heavy rainfall of up to 400mm is forecast this week leading to widespread flooding in southeast Queensland and NSW’s northeast.

NSW’s Northern Rivers is again in the firing line three years after flooding claimed five lives and destroyed homes.

‘Obviously those communities have already gone through massive amounts of flooding in recent years,’ NSW Premier Chris Minns told ABC.

‘This is the last thing that they want to hear but we are asking them to be prepared … for the worst and hope for the best.’

Queensland schools will remain open today despite the looming threat of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

The Queensland Department of Education said schools will stay open on Wednesday, while schools on North Stradbroke and Moreton Bay islands will be open for supervision only.

‘Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to cross the South East Queensland coast either late Thursday evening or early Friday morning,’ a spokesperson said.

‘We will continue to monitor the weather conditions and take action where necessary to ensure the safety of our students, staff and the wider community.’

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli warned there was a ‘very strong’ likelihood they may close when Alfred crosses the coast.

‘This is certainly an event that doesn’t happen a lot for this part of the state, but it isn’t unprecedented and I am asking Queenslanders to be ready for it,’ he said.

Thousands have already fled their homes as Tropical Cyclone Alfred bears down on Australia’s east coast.

The cyclone intensified to a category two system as it changed course and headed towards the south-east Queensland coast.

Last recorded 510km east of Brisbane late Tuesday, Tropical Cyclone Alfred is set to make landfall north of the city either late Thursday or early Friday, bringing destructive winds of up to 130km/h, torrential rain, dangerous surf conditions and major flooding.

Authorities have urged millions in two states between Noosa Heads on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and Ballina in northern NSW to prepare to evacuate or hunker down.

Voluntary evacuations began on Stradbroke Island on Tuesday as police door-knocked hundreds of homes in low lying areas between the Gold Coast and Sunshine coasts.

South-east Queensland is hours away from coming to an abrupt standstill with schools, university campuses, Gold Coast theme parks, offices and public transport systems all set to shut down on Thursday.

The Brisbane CBD will become a ghost town for the first time since Covid-19 lockdowns with residents ordered to work from home.

Almost 20,000 homes in the Brisbane Council catchment area will be flooded if Alfred continues on its projected path, according to the latest modelling.