Rare tropical cyclone swirls off eastern Australia
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Unusually warm sea surface temperatures have been fuelling the storm, said a climate researcher.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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SYDNEY – A heavily populated stretch of Australia’s eastern coast scrapped major sports fixtures as people battened down March 4 for what could be the first tropical cyclone to pummel the region in 50 years.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred was swirling about 550km east of Brisbane, with models showing it veering towards the mainland later in the day.
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Dean Narramore said the storm was likely to cross the coast late on March 6 or early March 7, striking land between metropolitan Brisbane and tourist haven Sunshine Coast.
It would be the first tropical cyclone to make landfall
“It’s not record breaking but it’s definitely a little bit more unusual,” he added.
Some three million people live along the 100km stretch linking Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, a region known for balmy weather and golden beaches.
Two opening-round Thursday night Australian Rules football matches on – the country’s most popular spectator sport – were postponed to a date yet to be announced, the game’s bosses said.
Australian Football League chief executive Andrew Dillon said the priority was to “do everything we can to ensure the health and safety of everyone” in impacted areas.
The rescheduling of two Queensland matches – Brisbane against Geelong in Brisbane, and Gold Coast against Essendon on the Gold Coast – left just two opening-round fixtures to be played in Sydney on March 7 and March 9.
A Women’s Professional Golf Association event and the Gold Coast Festival of Golf were cancelled due to the “impending impact”, organisers said on March 4.
Australia’s second-largest triathlon was also called off.
Flash flooding
Climate researcher Tom Mortlock said unusually warm sea surface temperatures were fuelling the storm.
“Tropical Cyclone Alfred is a reminder that tropical cyclones... can still track further south,” he added.
Researchers have repeatedly warned that climate change amplifies the risk of natural disasters, such as bushfires, floods and cyclones.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred, a Category 2 system, would lash the coast with “damaging” 120kmh winds, official forecasts said.
There was also the risk of “dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding”.
While cyclones are common in the warm tropical waters lapping Australia, it is rare for them to strike the heavily populated areas found further south.
The flood-prone northern rivers region of New South Wales, which lies south of Brisbane, would also feel the impact, officials said.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns urged towns to “be prepared for the worst”. AFP
