As Cyclone Alfred barrels towards South East Queensland, authorities have designated Chandler Arena at Sleeman Sports Complex in Chandler as an emergency refuge shelter for residents in flood-prone and high-risk areas. The facility will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, 6 March, providing temporary shelter for those who have no safer alternatives as the storm intensifies.
Chandler Arena Among Emergency Shelters for At-Risk Residents
Brisbane City Council has set up three short-term shelters ahead of Cyclone Alfred’s expected landfall. Alongside Chandler Arena, RNA Showgrounds in Bowen Hills and Kedron Wavell Club in Chermside will also accept evacuees. These locations are designed as last-resort options for those unable to stay in their homes due to extreme weather risks.
Residents using these shelters should bring their own essentials, as no beds, food, or cooking facilities will be available. The facilities will provide only basic amenities, such as seating and access to drinking water. Upon arrival, all evacuees must register and present identification before being allowed entry.
Authorities have warned that once the shelters close at midday, they will go into lockdown, meaning residents should make arrangements in advance and not wait until conditions deteriorate.
Cyclone Alfred: Latest Tracking and Expected Impact
As of 1:00 a.m. on 6 March, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) placed Cyclone Alfred 325 kilometres east of Brisbane, moving slowly northwest at 7 km/h. While originally predicted to make landfall Thursday night, the cyclone has slowed down, and meteorologists now estimate landfall could happen Friday afternoon instead.
Forecasters warn that Alfred may intensify into a Category 3 system before impact, bringing 155 km/h wind gusts near its core. The warning area stretches from Double Island Point (north of the Sunshine Coast) to Grafton in northern NSW, with destructive 120 km/h winds expected across the entire region.
Forecasters say Cyclone Alfred is moving slower than expected, pushing back its predicted landfall and temporarily easing severe conditions on Thursday. While this gives residents extra time to secure their homes and make evacuation decisions, it also raises concerns that the cyclone could strengthen further over warm waters before eventually hitting land.
Authorities are most concerned about severe flooding, particularly in areas south of Alfred’s core. Some locations could receive 300 to 400 mm of rainfall in a single day, with total accumulations exceeding 800 mm in flood-prone regions. The storm is also expected to generate dangerous storm surges and abnormally high tides, raising concerns for low-lying coastal communities.
Current projections still place Alfred on course for South East Queensland, but officials continue monitoring for any shifts in trajectory.
Stay alert and keep track of the latest developments regarding Cyclone Alfred:
Major Flood Risks and Transport Shutdowns
Flood alerts are now in place for 6,000 properties on the Gold Coast, and authorities in northern NSW have urged residents in Pottsville, Fingal Head, and Chinderah to prepare for evacuations. In Lismore, where residents are still recovering from devastating floods three years ago, concerns are rising over whether the town’s levee system can withstand the incoming rainfall.
Meanwhile, Brisbane’s public transport system has shut down as a precaution.
- CityCat and ferry services are suspended indefinitely.
- Buses have ceased operations as of 6 March.
- Story Bridge footpaths closed at 5:30 p.m. on 5 March.
- More than 1,000 schools have been closed across the region.
Council officials have also suspended waste collection, while libraries, community centres, pools, and sports facilities will remain closed until further notice. Energex has advised that power outages could last up to two weeks in heavily impacted suburbs.
Government and Emergency Response Efforts
Authorities are mobilising emergency personnel and rescue teams in preparation for the cyclone’s impact. More than 125,000 sandbags have been distributed, while swift-water rescue teams and Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel are on standby to assist in emergency evacuations.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli reassured residents that critical response plans were in place, with emergency resources pre-positioned to ensure a swift recovery once conditions allow. He acknowledged Queenslanders’ resilience in the face of disasters and urged residents to take the warnings seriously.
With conditions set to worsen over the next 24 to 48 hours, residents are advised to finalise their preparations, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay updated through official emergency channels.
Published 6-March-2025
