A tropical cyclone off the Queensland coast has intensified to a category three system, as a popular Great Barrier Reef resort evacuates all staff and guests.
The path of Tropical Cyclone Alfred – currently sitting 800km northeast of Mackay and producing wind gusts of 185km/h in the Coral Sea – remains uncertain.
Great Keppel Island Hideaway resort, off Rockhampton, said it will temporarily close due to concerns about severe weather and is ‘evacuating the island from 10am Thursday’.
The resort will look at reopening on Monday, depending on how the cyclone tracks.
Even if it remains in the Coral Sea, Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to cause large, powerful waves and winds on the Queensland coast from Townsville down to K’Gari, formerly Fraser Island, this weekend.
Waves could exceed three metres along the coastline, sparking a hazardous warning for coastal activities like crossing bars by boat and rock fishing.
It is forecast to intensify further to a category four on Friday morning before weakening to a category three for the remainder of the weekend.
The Bureau of Meteorology has high confidence in modelling over the next two days that the system will remain offshore, however, beyond that, there are a range of possible scenarios, including the cyclone approaching the Queensland coast.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred will intensify further to a category four on Friday morning
North Queensland has been hammered by wild weather this year, with winds and heavy rain wreaking havoc earlier this month (pictured: Townsville on February 10)
‘Here at the bureau we analyse a number of computer models. But they’ve not yet reached a consensus as to whether the tropical cyclone remains offshore, makes landfall or approaches the coast,’ meteorologist Jonathan How said on Thursday.
‘So the exact move is still a bit uncertain at this stage.’
The bureau said the cyclone could move closer to the Queensland coast as early as Sunday if its path changes and tracks southwest.
Three cyclones are currently in waters off Australia – with Tropical Cyclone Alfred over the northern Coral Sea, Tropical Cyclone Seru near Vanuatu and Tropical Cyclone Rae to the southeast of Fiji.
Mayor Adam Belot from the Shire of Livingstone Shire said on Wednesday it was a ‘wait and see’ scenario for Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
‘Forecasting cyclones always comes with some uncertainty, but this is a timely reminder for residents to stay informed and prepared,’ Mr Belot said.
‘Council and our disaster management team are closely monitoring the situation and maintaining direct communication with BOM to ensure our community receives accurate and up-to-date information.
The path of the cyclone remains uncertain, but winds and large swells have already caused the evacuation of Great Keppel Island Hideaway resort
The weather system is expected to cause heavy rains and potential flooding in some North Queensland communities next week (pictured: Townsville in recent weeks)
‘There is no need to be alarmed, but we encourage everyone to take simple steps to be prepared.’
Livingstone Shire Local Disaster Coordinator Greg Abbotts emphasised the importance of using time wisely to review emergency preparedness.
‘This is a great opportunity for residents to check their emergency kits and discuss their emergency plans with family,’ Mr Abbotts said.
‘Residents should also take small precautionary actions such as securing loose items around the home, clearing gutters, and ensuring everyone knows what to do in the event of severe weather.’
