As Tropical Cyclone Alfred barrels towards the coast, bringing the inevitable concerns and preparations, a new worry has emerged for Australians: a malicious scam text.

However, there's good news amidst the storm clouds: the alarming message claiming that power will be shut off is nothing but a hoax.

As conditions worsen, residents are preparing for what’s to come. With the system drawing nearer, communities must stay ready for intense weather and its possible impacts.


In an age where information is as fast-moving as the weather, staying informed and vigilant is crucial.

Scammers often take advantage of chaotic situations like extreme weather events to spread misinformation and create panic.

But let's set the record straight: Energex, the energy giant, has confirmed that the text message warning Australians about a power cut ahead of Cyclone Alfred is a complete fabrication.


‘There’s a fake/hoax text doing the rounds saying ‘someone’s neighbour’ knows someone in Energex who told them the power will be cut ahead of the cyclone hitting,’ an Energex spokesperson announced.

‘This is not true! Energex will not be turning power off before the cyclone makes landfall.’

‘The community can always head to Energex’s Facebook page or trusted news sources for correct information.’


The scam text, which has been making rounds, suggests that someone with insider knowledge from Energex leaked information about a planned power shutdown before the cyclone hits.

Energex encourages the community to visit their official Facebook page or rely on trusted news sources for accurate updates and information.

Misinformation can lead to unnecessary panic and confusion, which is the last thing needed during a natural disaster.

Currently classified as a category two storm, Alfred looms ominously just 185 kilometres off the Gold Coast, threatening to bring significant weather disruptions.

The cyclone is expected to slow down as it approaches the coast, potentially stalling before landfall on Friday night or early Saturday morning.

'Once the cyclone passes, crews will begin making network damage safe, assess the damage to determine what staff and equipment is required and then begin making repairs,' the spokesperson added.


Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has acknowledged the power outages already caused by gale-force winds and downed trees.

'We’ll see more of that, and I want Queenslanders to know we will get them reconnected as quickly as possible,' he announced.

'Right now, crews from Energex are actually reconnecting as quickly as they can while it is still safe to do so, but we have pre-positioned a really large number of staff who are ready to assist, and we even have those contractors who will be there to clear the trees so those electricity staff can go and reconnect power.'

For those with solar power systems, it's crucial to switch them off ahead of the cyclone.

This precaution helps prevent damaged systems from feeding energy back into homes or the local network, which could be hazardous.

Energex advised turning off the system at the meter box first, followed by the inverter, which usually comes with shutdown instructions.


Generator safety is also a top priority. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, always operate a generator in a well-ventilated area, never indoors.

It's also important not to plug generators directly into your home unless installed by a licensed electrician, as this could pose an electrocution risk to the community and repair crews.

While it may weaken to a category one as it nears the Moreton Bay islands and moves closer to the mainland, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) warned that the impacts will remain just as serious.


‘The risk of significant impacts due to widespread heavy rainfall is expected to continue near the coast and extend over adjacent inland areas during the weekend,’ they said.

This could lead to major riverine flooding across Queensland's southeast and Northern Rivers in NSW, putting communities like Lismore on high alert after the devastating floods they experienced in 2022.

Damaging winds, reaching up to 120 kilometres per hour, have been reported near the coast between Cape Moreton and Cape Byron.


These conditions are expected to spread to other coastal and island communities between Noosa and Ballina on Friday.

‘Abnormally high tides are likely to continue causing minor flooding of coastal low-lying areas between Double Island Point and Grafton, particularly during the Friday night (early Saturday) high tide,’ BOM said.
As Alfred draws nearer, destructive wind gusts of up to 155 kilometres per hour will likely develop near coastal and island locations south of the storm's centre.

These gusts are predicted to persist until the cyclone crosses the coast.

Additionally, abnormally high tides are expected to cause minor flooding of coastal low-lying areas, particularly during the high tide on Friday night into early Saturday.

The turbulent weather has already made its presence felt, with waves up to 15 meters recorded along the southeast Queensland coast.

The impact on infrastructure is significant, with up to 30,000 homes without power in the cyclone zone.


The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has been inundated with over 6,300 calls and has responded to more than 3,400 incidents, including three flood rescues.

Evacuation orders have been issued in various communities on the Mid-North Coast and Northern Rivers, as authorities take no chances with residents' safety.

This is a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of being prepared.

For those in the path of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, it's essential to stay informed and follow the advice of local authorities.

Ensure that your emergency kits are stocked, your property is secured, and you have a plan in place for evacuation if necessary.

Keep abreast of the latest updates from the BOM and local news outlets.


Have you taken any steps to prepare for the potential impacts of Cyclone Alfred in your area? How do you verify emergency information to avoid falling for scams during natural disasters? Let us know in the comments below.