Cyclone Alfred (2025) facts for kids
Cyclone Alfred at its secondary peak intensity on 28 February
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| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 20 February 2025 |
| Dissipated | 9 March 2025 |
| Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (BOM) | |
| Highest winds | 165 km/h (105 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 951 hPa (mbar); 28.08 inHg |
| Category 4 tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 215 km/h (130 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 943 hPa (mbar); 27.85 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 1+ |
| Injuries | 39+ |
| Missing | 4+ |
| Damage | Unknown |
| Areas affected | Willis Island, South East Queensland, New South Wales North Coast |
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Part of the 2024–25 Australian region cyclone season |
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Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred was a very strong and long-lasting tropical cyclone. It caused serious problems in South East Queensland and the New South Wales North Coast. Alfred was the seventh named storm and the sixth severe tropical cyclone of the 2024–25 Australian region cyclone season. It started as a low-pressure area in the Coral Sea on February 20.
Many people thought Cyclone Alfred would be one of the biggest weather events in Australia's recent history. Because of this, watches, warnings, and evacuations were put in place. This happened in South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales. These areas do not often get hit directly by tropical cyclones. However, Alfred reached the coast as a weaker storm. It became a tropical low just before it made landfall on March 8. Even so, its heavy rain caused severe flooding in the region.
At least one person died because of the cyclone. Four other people were reported missing. Many people were also hurt. Most injuries happened in a road accident involving the Australian Defence Force during the worst of the storm.
Contents
How Cyclone Alfred Formed and Moved
On February 20, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) noticed a low-pressure area in the Coral Sea. This disturbance was called Tropical Low 22U. Experts thought it would grow into a tropical cyclone in the next few days. Two days later, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) upgraded the system to a tropical storm. They use the Saffir–Simpson scale to measure storm strength.
The BOM then upgraded the system to a Category 1 cyclone. They named it Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Cyclones are usually named in alphabetical order. The next name starting with 'A' was 'Anthony'. But the BOM changed it to Alfred. This was to avoid confusion with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Over the next few days, the storm moved east. It became a Category 2 tropical cyclone on February 24. As Alfred turned south, it got even stronger. It reached Category 3 status on February 26. The next day, the BOM upgraded Alfred to a Category 4 cyclone. A small eye could be seen on satellite images.
Later, the cyclone's eye changed shape. This caused Alfred to go back and forth between Category 3 and 4. On March 1, it weakened to a Category 1 cyclone. For the next three days, it stayed off the coast. It moved between Category 1 and 2 strength. On March 7, Alfred made landfall on Moreton Island. Its winds were about 75 km/h (45 mph). On March 8, Alfred was downgraded to a tropical low before it crossed the mainland.
This cyclone hit parts of southern Queensland and northern New South Wales. These areas are not usually in the tropics. Scientists say that cyclones hitting outside tropical zones might happen more often. This could be due to climate change.
Getting Ready for the Storm
Warnings and Sandbags
An advice warning was given for coastal areas of the Fraser Coast Region. This included K'gari (Fraser Island).
Watches and warnings were issued for South East Queensland (SEQ). This included Brisbane, the state's capital. Alfred was a big risk to this area. Most forecasts predicted it would hit SEQ between March 6 and 8. A Cyclone Watch was issued for a wide area, including Brisbane. This was the first warning for Brisbane since Cyclone Oma in 2019. If the forecast was right, it would be the first cyclone to hit the area since Cyclone Nancy in 1990.
The northeastern part of New South Wales (NSW) also prepared for the storm. Three sandbagging stations opened on the Gold Coast. Two more opened later because many people needed sandbags. Nine stations opened in Noosa and five on the Sunshine Coast. Large waves and very high tides hit the central and southern Queensland coast. Waves up to 4.87 meters were recorded. Much of the coast saw significant erosion.
A solo rower from Lithuania, Aurimas Mockus, was rowing from San Diego to Brisbane. He got caught in the cyclone. The Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Choules rescued him safely.
CityCat and ferry services were stopped on Monday evening. This was to move the boats to safety.
Cancellations and Closures
On March 4, a Watch and Act warning was issued for many towns. This included Byron Bay, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast. A Cyclone Warning was also issued between Double Island Point and Yamba. This was the first warning for Brisbane since 1990. The Acting Commissioner of the Queensland Police Service, Shane Chelepy, said that 724,000 sandbags were available in South East Queensland. This was with help from the National Emergency Management Agency.
Both the Australian WPGA Championship and Mooloolaba Triathlon were cancelled. The AFL postponed two matches. The NRL also moved a game from Brisbane to Sydney. A Green Day concert on March 5 was cancelled. The 145th Beenleigh Show was also cancelled. Its grounds were used as a sandbag station instead.
Several universities closed their campuses. This included the Queensland University of Technology and University of the Sunshine Coast. Classes moved online. Southern Cross University closed its Gold Coast and Lismore campuses. The Lismore campus became an evacuation centre.
On March 5, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns announced that 122 public schools in the Northern Rivers region would close. Private and Catholic schools also closed.
The Noosa Council opened the Noosa Leisure Centre as an evacuation centre. Six evacuation centres opened in Tweed Heads. Six more opened in the greater Northern Rivers area.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli issued a 'Red Alert' for all boat users. This meant vessels needed special permission to be on the water. He also announced that all schools in affected areas would close on Thursday and Friday. Later, he announced the Gold Coast Airport would close. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said a 'period of emergency' had begun. The Australian Defence Force was called in to help. Albanese confirmed that 125,000 sandbags would go to Queensland. The Defence Force would deliver an extra 80,000. More heavy-lift helicopters were also sent.
The cyclone also affected the date of the federal election. The Prime Minister had thought about holding the election in early March. But on March 7, he said the election would not be on April 12. This was to allow him to stay in the recovery zone. It also prevented the election campaign from clashing with recovery efforts.
Last-Minute Preparations
On March 6, Cyclone Alfred slowed down as it neared Brisbane. This delayed its expected arrival by six hours. Public schools, public transport, major roads, and airports began to close. However, emergency services still operated. The Brisbane Airport announced it would close at 4 p.m.
The Bureau of Meteorology predicted the cyclone would hit between Friday afternoon and early March 8. At 9 p.m., the first 'Emergency Warning' was issued. This was for the Redland City Island Communities.
On March 7, warnings told Gold Coast residents to stay away from certain areas. Landfall was now expected between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Saturday. The Pacific Highway was closed at Byron Bay and Chinderah. NSW Deputy Premier, Prue Car, said all Northern Rivers schools would stay closed on Monday, March 10.
Airservices Australia warned travelers about airport delays. Brisbane's radar was affected by the cyclone. Midair radars along the East coast were at risk of losing signal. Albanese announced that 120 Australian Defence Force personnel were sent to Northern New South Wales. They would support the State Emergency Services.
Later on March 7, 'Emergency Warning' levels were issued for the Gold Coast and Redland City.
Cyclone Alfred's Impact
On March 6, a jet skier was reported missing. Their jet ski was found near Broadbeach, Queensland. Very heavy rain fell in the region that day.
Winds over 100 km/h (60 mph) were recorded at the Gold Coast and Byron Bay. This happened between March 7 and 8. Large pine trees fell in Kirra due to the strong winds. By March 7, 80,000 homes and businesses in Queensland and New South Wales had lost power. The Northern Rivers area had widespread power outages. 43,000 homes lost power because trees fell on power lines overnight.
A man went missing and was later found dead. His car was swept away by floodwaters in Dorrigo, New South Wales. A 12-year-old girl went missing in Redland Bay, Queensland. In Lismore, New South Wales, two Australian Defence Force vehicles crashed. This left 36 people injured, eight seriously. Two others were missing.
In Gold Coast, a woman was hurt. 20 more people had to leave their homes. This happened after the cyclone tore off the roof of an apartment building. A couple got minor injuries when a tree crashed through their bedroom ceiling. In Brisbane, Urban Utilities had to release untreated water into the Brisbane River. This was because a key system was overwhelmed by storm water. They issued a warning for areas along the river.
See also
- List of storms named Alfred
- Tropical cyclones in 2025
- Weather of 2025
