Australian correspondent
A tropical storm is expected to drop on the eastern coast of Australia on Saturday morning, as tens of thousands of people have been evacuated and more than 230,000 homes left without power.
Initially called Cyclone Alfred, the meteorological front was reduced to a tropical minimum with winds reaching 85 km/h, less strong than the first forecast.
The Meteorology Office said that the storm is currently sitting on Bribie Island and is slowly moving north and expected to cross the continental coast between the island and Maroochydore.
Authorities still warn the people inside, with fines for those who visit beaches, as rain and floods are still expected.
On Saturday morning, Senior Meteorologist Miriam Bradbury, of the Meteorology Office, said that there is a continuous risk of serious weather, especially rainfall.
« Our 24 -hour rainfall could easily exceed 200mm or more for the next two days as this system slows down and moves inland, » ABC News Breakfast told ABC.
« The rain continues to pass strongly, and we are still seeing widespread floods, widespread impacts, which will probably continue today and also tomorrow, » he added.
The ex-tropical cyclone has already caused floods that authorities fear that they could worsen the weekend. New South Wales police said on Friday that a man disappeared after his car was devastated on a quick river.
Four million people in all Queensland and north of New South Wales are on the line of shot of the storm.
But his slow progress, described by the meteorological experts as a « rhythm of walking » and « erratic », has raised concerns about flood and river floods in low areas.
Stephen Valentine and his wife, who live in the city of Logan in the south of Brisbane, have prepared about 30 liters of water, food for them and their pets, and have established « protected rooms » in their home located outside the windows.
« At the moment we are as prepared as we can be for something that none of us has happened … Nothing has reached the south by the south, » said Mr. Valentine, who grew up in the city.
« We would get the edge of a cyclone so often, but not at this level, » he added.
Although Queensland is not a stranger to cyclones, it is the most prone state of disasters in Australia, it is rare to reach the south.
« These are difficult times, but the Australians are harsh people, and we are resistant people, » said Prime Minister Anthony Albananese, echoing the mayor of Gold Coast, Donna Gates, who said that Cyclone Alfred is a « frightening proposal » for the region.
Pictures of gettyAbout 1,000 schools have been closed, public transport has been suspended and airports are closed. The flights are not expected to resume until Sunday as soon as possible. Elective surgeries have also been canceled.
The last time A cyclone stroke was in 1974, when Wanda arrived in January and two months later, Zoe crossed the coast.
The flood, however, is more common. In February 2022, thousands of houses were damaged to much of Eastern Australia after heavy rain.
Authorities were eager to prepare the communities ahead of the Alfred cyclone. The Council opened Sandbag deposits throughout the region to help residents protect their homes.
« He is surreal. We know he will arrive, but he is very calm, » said Anthony Singh, a resident of the West End Brisbane suburb. He waited four hours on Wednesday to collect sand bags to protect his home.
His resident, Mark Clayton, helped coordinate the Sandbag collection, with more than 140 tons of sand.
« I think people are a bit passionate, » he says. “The buildings will remain, will the ceilings remain?
With the supermarkets now closed and people take refuge at home, there is a lot of uncertainty, as the Australians expect the storm to arrive.
But some hard surfers have cared for the growing wind.
« This is what we expect, » said Surfist Jeff Weatherall, while waiting for a Jet skiing to pick it up on Kirra beach and take it to the big waves. « This is the fifth day followed: I did nothing but eat, sleep, navigate and do it again. »
Kirra beach is famous for its switches, and surfers have been occupied this week.
« There are people who will lose their homes, but for the moment you are taking the good of everything. This is just a crazy surf, » said Surfist Donnie Neal.
In the meantime, the Albanians have warned people that cyclone warnings are taken seriously.
« This is not a time to make tourist visits or to see how these conditions are to experience firsthand, » he said.
« Please be sure. Be wise. »
Additional Kelly NG and Hafsa Khalil reports
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