cnnweather<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n They usually form further north over warmer seas, but this one followed an erratic path to become the most southerly cyclone to hit the region in more than 50 years. <\/p>\n
The cyclone was already bringing heavy rainfall to coastal areas on Friday, along with damaging winds and storm surges. <\/p>\n
Tropical Cyclone Alfred was forecast to cross islands in Moreton Bay Saturday morning local time before hitting the mainland in two states. <\/p>\n
Queensland\u2019s Gold Coast and other coastal areas were considered most vulnerable to storm surges, wind gusts and flash flooding, though warnings extended well inland. <\/p>\n
In New South Wales, Australian Defence Force personnel, state emergency services and police were pre-positioned in the Northern Rivers \u2013 an area beset by flooding in recent years. <\/p>\n
Some residents were still living in temporary housing after the last major flood submerged homes and businesses in 2022. <\/p>\n
Authorities repeatedly acknowledged their trauma during press conferences as they sought to assure them that this time there would be no long wait for help. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur sincere hope is that the community gets through this without any loss of life, and that we can \u2013 when this is all over \u2013 focus on the rebuild,\u201d said NSW Premier Chris Minns in the city of Lismore on Friday, where he was expected to ride out the cyclone. <\/p>\n
The delay in Cyclone Alfred\u2019s arrival gave authorities more time to issue warnings to residents, many of whom had never lived through a cyclone. <\/p>\n
The last one to cross this far south was Tropical Cyclone Zoe in 1974. <\/p>\n
The delay also gave sightseers time to explore Alfred\u2019s effects on the coast \u2013 including surfers who earlier this week braved waves that by Friday were too dangerous to surf. <\/p>\n
Stuart Nettle, the editor of Swellnet, a forecaster service that operates 100 cameras near the coast, said Alfred had produced waves that will be talked about for years. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe fourth and fifth of March are going to live on in infamy in the memory of Gold Coast surfers,\u201d he said. \u201cTropical Cyclone Alfred just sat there at the optimum distance and the optimum direction from the Gold Coast and delivered two days of exceptional waves. There\u2019ll be surfers talking about it for a long time to come.\u201d <\/p>\n
Few dared to enter the water Friday as waves lashed the coast, prompting warnings from authorities of fines of $10,000 (16,000 Australian dollars) for risky behavior. <\/p>\n
Police had stern words for one teenager caught surfing and four others were also reprimanded for putting themselves and others in danger. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe waves are horrendous, the beaches are hazardous,\u201d said acting Gold Coast City Council Mayor Donna Gates. \u201cPlease listen to us and stay away from the beaches. I keep repeating that because somehow, not everyone is listening.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
This post appeared first on cnn.com<\/div>\n
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