State braces for a 'significant disaster event' hitting their shores

Nature is a force to be reckoned with, as it could lead to significant damage in an area.

Just when a state recovered from the recent flooding, experts warned locals once again of a 'significant disaster' looming in their area.


For the first time in nearly half a century, a densely populated stretch of Southeast Queensland has been bracing for a massive event.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred has intensified into a Category 2 storm.

The last time the region faced such a threat was in 1974 when Cyclone Zoe made landfall at Coolangatta.

Cyclone Zoe followed the heels of Cyclone Wanda, which unleashed devastating floods in Brisbane and claimed 16 lives.


compressed-pexels-flood boots.jpeg
Authorities urged Queenslanders to stay safe amid the floods. Image Credit: Pexels/Abigail Le Fay


Cyclone Alfred's trajectory became a cause for concern, as forecasts predicted its U-turn towards Queensland's coast on Tuesday.

The storm is expected to unleash its fury between K'gari (formerly Fraser Island) and the Gold Coast around Thursday or Friday.

Cyclone Alfred is expected to bring destructive winds, torrential rain, flash flooding, and significant coastal erosion.


The Bureau of Meteorology issued a cyclone watch from K'gari down to Grafton in New South Wales, with gale-force winds anticipated to develop from Wednesday night.

Gusts exceeding 90 km/h, damaging surf, and abnormally high tides were also predicted to create perilous beach conditions.

There could also be significant coastal erosion before Alfred's landfall on Thursday night.

Experts also predicted that Cyclone Alfred could bring down trees and power lines, while intense rainfall may lead to 'life-threatening' flash flooding and a storm surge.

While Alfred could weaken to a tropical low by Friday, the impact of rain and flooding may still persist, possibly extending into the weekend.


Natural Hazards Research Australia CEO Andrew Gissing warned that the region's significant development since 1974, particularly in areas like Gold Coast, has placed more people and infrastructure 'in the firing line' of cyclones and storms.

Research after the 2022 floods showed that 50 per cent of residents felt they could have been more prepared.

'It could be a significant disaster event. We are right to be taking this seriously,' Mr Gissing lamented.

Residents have been urged to either evacuate or brace for the worst.

Some areas have already reported incidents of panic buying, while others have started sandbagging and bunkering down.


Flood watches are current across southeast Queensland and northeastern New South Wales.

Preparation can significantly reduce damage and increase safety. Make sure that you have your emergency kits stocked and ready and that evacuation plans are in place.

Stay informed by following updates from the Bureau of Meteorology and local authorities.

It's crucial to reach out for help if you need assistance with preparations or evacuations.

Stay safe and informed, and look out for each other as Cyclone Alfred approaches.
Key Takeaways

  • Tropical Cyclone Alfred could make landfall on the southeast Queensland coast this week while bringing destructive weather conditions.
  • This event represented a significant disaster threat, the first direct hit the area has faced in nearly 50 years.
  • Residents in the potentially impacted areas have been advised to evacuate or prepare for the worst.
  • The cyclone is expected to weaken to a tropical low by Friday, but rain and flooding may continue in affected states.
We at the Seniors Discount Club urge you to share your preparations and any advice you may have for fellow members in the comments below. Your experience could make all the difference for someone facing this impending storm.
 

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This cyclone seems worst than first expected and not just in QLD but Northern Rivers of NSW, and as far down as Taree NSW.

Lismore is also prepared for severe flooding.

My prayers and thoughts are for all those affected and hopefully it won't be as bad as they are thinking
I wonder if the government has done any preventative works to start to fix the devastation and causes of the recent floods, or are they we going to see rinse dry repeat all over again. We see money spent on beautiful parks and gardens. But I don’t recall hearing of any major remediation work on multiple sites where flooding repeatedly occurs
 
I live in The Tweed, we are already getting strong winds and plenty of rain. My husband and I went to get our normal shop Tuesday afternoon only to find empty shelves on many staples like toilet paper, bottled water and bread were empty. Mind you we saw staff taking products off shelves for storage in preparation for TC Alfred.
Am I worried, not really, this is a natural occurrence and we must hunker down and deal with it when it arrives and during the aftermath.
Nothing anyone can do to stop it, we are prepared as we can be.
I hope the sight seeing morons that want to have a gander stay away and let us deal with what befalls our region.
 
Unless the proper remediation is in place these disastors will continue. Apparently the previous flood damage has not been resolved. Insurance companies continue to inflate premiums or not insure at all. The victims have been victimised once again " why don`t they move, why don`t they accept NSW Government buy back proposals. Well, I`d like to know why the levy banks didn`t work, we have them where I live; in a flood prone area and they did not work for us during the last floods. Because there has been so little interest from local councils and state government. We with the help of SES (Volunteers) we have to take care of flooding ourselves. Sandbaging and removing anything that can cause damage, lifting or moving furniture and hoping for the best.
 
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This cyclone seems worst than first expected and not just in QLD but Northern Rivers of NSW, and as far down as Taree NSW.

Lismore is also prepared for severe flooding.

My prayers and thoughts are for all those affected and hopefully it won't be as bad as they are thinking
Thanks Suzanne Rose, I'm in the firing line and hopefully as prepared as I can be. Had a 5 hour wait to get sandbags yesterday and I'm off to the supermarket shorty in hopes that not all the shelves are bare. 🤞
 
I’ve been helping one of my granddaughters to move, a single mum with two little ones, so nearer Brisbane than the coast where I live. We have been trying for days to get things like water torch and candles to no avail ! When there’s something like this happening WHY do people feel they need to buy more than they need ?
Stay safe everyone in the path of Alfred !
 
They say it will hit my area hard, tried to prepare as much as one can. Not easy for me on my own as my mobility is not good and no family around to help. Taping up windows today. Tried to shop for essentials yesterday but supermarkets are stripped bare. People are panic buying with no consideration for others. It's like covid times all over again. One can only hope for the best in these times of disaster. Stay safe everyone who is also affected.
 
I know a family that was stuck in a small country town for nearly a fortnight in far north SA. before the water dropped enough before a convoy was escorted through - still driving through fairly deep water as the water level had temporarily dropped. The Police literally set up camps either side of the water because people were attempting to drive around barriers and getting stuck in the water and volunteers were risking their lives rescuing the people.
 
I live in The Tweed, we are already getting strong winds and plenty of rain. My husband and I went to get our normal shop Tuesday afternoon only to find empty shelves on many staples like toilet paper, bottled water and bread were empty. Mind you we saw staff taking products off shelves for storage in preparation for TC Alfred.
Am I worried, not really, this is a natural occurrence and we must hunker down and deal with it when it arrives and during the aftermath.
Nothing anyone can do to stop it, we are prepared as we can be.
I hope the sight seeing morons that want to have a gander stay away and let us deal with what befalls our region.
My daughter Sonja and family live in Burleigh Waters not far from Tweed Heads and she said the same thing.All the shelves are bare they couldn't get bottled water either so she filled some empty bottles she had. She tried to get a big torch but all sold out but she said she can recharge the hand one she has.This is where a generator is handy to have but Sonja said they are sold out too. Just got off the phone to her now and she said the Gold Coast is going to get the tail end of the cyclone which is the worst and is category 3.
She knows this because her husband works for the council and is in charge of all the vehicles and things going on .Jason never panics but said the cyclone was expected to be bad l just hope he is wrong.
 
They say it will hit my area hard, tried to prepare as much as one can. Not easy for me on my own as my mobility is not good and no family around to help. Taping up windows today. Tried to shop for essentials yesterday but supermarkets are stripped bare. People are panic buying with no consideration for others. It's like covid times all over again. One can only hope for the best in these times of disaster. Stay safe everyone who is also affected.
You shouldn't be on your own .lsn't there somewhere you can go to be with others ?
 
Thanks Suzanne Rose, I'm in the firing line and hopefully as prepared as I can be. Had a 5 hour wait to get sandbags yesterday and I'm off to the supermarket shorty in hopes that not all the shelves are bare. 🤞
You will be in my prayers 🙏 hoping you stay safe.
A very anxious time for you all
 
They say it will hit my area hard, tried to prepare as much as one can. Not easy for me on my own as my mobility is not good and no family around to help. Taping up windows today. Tried to shop for essentials yesterday but supermarkets are stripped bare. People are panic buying with no consideration for others. It's like covid times all over again. One can only hope for the best in these times of disaster. Stay safe everyone who is also affected.
I'm not sure you should be staying on your own. Is there someone you can stay with ? Are you close with your neighbours
 
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We have had the wind for day, and although the humidity is high there has been no rain as yet. We are as ready as we can be looking down on Brisbane and hope that it will be the tail end 30klm inland. If not we have done all we can to protect ourselves, our pets and our property. Our biggest problem as with the 2011 flooding and the 1974 cyclone event in Brisbane is being flooded in and no power for days on end.
Albo has apparently going to grace us with his presence today, I don't know why, is he going to stand there with his hand 🖐️ out and tell the storm to stop?🌪️
What we need is for all the wankers who coming up to sticky beak to Pis**ff.
I want to say to all the residents in the path of Alfred and in the low lying areas, good luck and stay safe. And when it's all over have a very large drink to toast being out the other side.🍷
 
I've just checked the BOM with their recent update and it's not Category 3, it's still Category 2 thankfully.
We'll be okay, due to being on a hill. Fingers crossed everybody on the GC will be safe & sound. Mind you, I witnessed some people shopping with selfish hysteria. Crazy.
I was here for the 1974 floods/cyclone too.
 
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