Sun Mar 09 11:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Cyclone Alfred Pummels Australia’s East Coast, Leaving Hundreds of Thousands Without Power
**Sydney, Australia (March 6, 2025)** – Cyclone Alfred, which weakened to a tropical low over the weekend, has battered Australia’s eastern coast, causing widespread power outages and significant flooding. While the storm spared the region from its initially predicted worst-case scenario, its impact is still substantial.
Hundreds of thousands of homes in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales are without power due to fallen trees and downed power lines. Authorities warn that the threat of flooding remains severe, with heavy rain and damaging winds expected to continue for several days. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the situation as “very serious.”
One fatality has been confirmed. The body of a 61-year-old man, swept away by floodwaters near Dorrigo, NSW, on Friday, was recovered on Saturday.
The storm’s impact on the coastline has been dramatic. Severe coastal erosion has been reported, with 4-6 meter cliffs carved into the sand on the Gold Coast, undermining beachfront structures. While the storm’s downgraded status to a tropical low doesn’t lessen its overall impact, it is noteworthy as the most southerly cyclone to threaten the region since 1974.
Despite the delayed arrival of the cyclone, which initially raised anxiety levels, the extended period of heavy rainfall has proven to be the most significant challenge. Hervey Bay recorded 230 millimeters of rain in just three hours on Sunday morning. Major rivers in the Northern Rivers region of NSW are also at risk of flooding.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has been assisting with emergency response, but thirteen personnel were injured, six seriously, in a road accident while clearing storm debris on Saturday.
The delay in Alfred’s arrival did, however, provide some unexpected benefits for surfers who witnessed exceptional waves earlier in the week, although authorities issued warnings and fines for those who ignored safety advice and risked entering the hazardous waters.
Emergency services, including the ADF and state emergency services, remain deployed across the affected regions. Flood warnings are in place for southeast Queensland. The clean-up and recovery efforts are expected to take considerable time.
First Piper 