Cyclone Alfred

Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred was a powerful, long-lived, and erratic tropical cyclone that brought severe effects to South East Queensland and the New South Wales North Coast. As the seventh named storm, and sixth severe tropical cyclone of the 2024–25 Australian region cyclone season, Alfred originated from a tropical low in the Coral Sea on 20 February. Originally the Australian Bureau of Meteorology was to call the next developing cyclone 'Anthony'. But, at the last minute this cyclone was named 'Alfred' as the Bureau's policy is not to use names which match a prominent person at that time, in this case, prime minister Anthony Albanese. Expected to be one of the most significant weather events in recent Australian history, Cyclone Alfred prompted watches, warnings and evacuations in South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales, a highly populated area which has rarely experienced direct impacts from tropical cyclones. However, the cyclone had less impact than expected, becoming a tropical low shortly before making landfall on 8 March; nevertheless, its heavy rainfall brought severe flooding to the region. At least one fatality has been reported due to the cyclone, while four others are reportedly unaccounted for. Several injuries have been reported as well, mostly due to a road collision involving the Australian Defence Force that occurred during the height of the storm south of Lismore. Alfred caused an estimated US$1.36 billion economic loss.