Australia s east coast on alert as cyclone on track for Brisbane

CANBERRA - Australia’s east coast is bracing for tidal surges, intense rainfall, strong winds and flooding as a cyclone is expected to veer toward the country’s third-biggest city.

Alfred, a category two storm, is currently about 465km north-east of Brisbane, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. It is expected to turn westward from March 4 and make landfall just above the city on March 6, before quickly weakening, it said.

“Severe coastal hazards are likely for southern Queensland and northern New South Wales coasts,” the bureau said.

“Heavy to locally intense rainfall is forecast for south-east Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales from March 5 as Alfred approaches the coast. Flood watches have been issued for these areas.”

Alfred would be the first tropical storm to affect Brisbane since 2017, when the remnants of Cyclone Debbie, which had wrecked havoc in north Queensland, brought heavy rain and strong winds to the area. BLOOMBERG

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