Category two tropical cyclone Alfred continues to slowly bear down on the Australian coast with the city, airport, and port of Brisbane in its path. Widespread gale force and destructive winds are forecast along with days of heavy rain. The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting winds above 48 knots within 60 nautical miles of the centre with very rough to high seas and heavy swells. The Bureau adds that there are sustained winds near the centre of up to 100 km / hour with wind gusts of up to 140 km / hour.
Alfred is forecast to cross the Moreton Bay Island during Saturday morning and then weaken while moving over the mainland coast. ” This is expected to take some time given Alfred’s slow motion,” the Bureau reports.
The tropical cyclone has slowed down because there are two pressure ridges, one to the south and one to the north of the cyclone, that are providing somewhat counterbalancing forces and steering influences, the Bureau adds.
Minor and major flood warnings for coastal and riverine areas are in force throughout southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales. Heavy rainfall bands are extending over southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales leading to intense rainfall, and which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding.
The QLDTRAFFIC website, an official government website, is reporting multiple road closures and traffic signal outages across the region owing to the oncoming cyclone. Local media reports are already indicating extensive power outages, particularly as trees are blown across powerlines.
Port of Brisbane has reported that the Maritime Safety Queensland’s Regional Harbour Master has issued restrictions on the shipping channel, and has closed the Brisbane and Southport Pilotage Areas, associated waterways, rivers, marinas, buoy mooring grids and anchorages to all vessels.
“It is expected the port operations will be suspended Thursday through to Saturday. VTS are continuing to work with the Port of Brisbane P/L, terminals, and the pilotage provider for the development of the shipping schedule for when shipping operations resumes. Until shipping is scheduled to resume, agents are to inform ships to remain outside or Queensland State waters until advised by VTS,” the Port has said in a statement.
