Australia is bracing for severe flooding as Cyclone Alfred approaches, bringing the threat of torrential rain, destructive winds, and storm surges along the eastern coast.
The tropical cyclone, which had been moving steadily, has now dramatically slowed, with landfall expected early on Saturday.
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Officials have warned that the storm’s slow movement could intensify its impact. “The worst case scenario,” they said, would be an extended period of very heavy rainfall as the cyclone straddles the coast.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged residents to remain cautious, noting that while the cyclone “has slowed up somewhat… That is not all good news.”
Meanwhile, authorities are searching for a possible missing jet skier off the northern New South Wales coast as rough seas continue to pose life-threatening risks.
In Brisbane, the federal government has delivered over 300,000 sandbags in an effort to mitigate flood damage. However, shortages have forced some residents to resort to using potting mix as an alternative.
The cyclone has already left thousands without power as strong winds batter the region. More than 200 flights have been suspended, supermarkets are stripped of essentials, and hospitals are now limiting procedures to emergencies.
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