Cyclone Alfred’s Wrath: The Calm Before the Storm Hits the Gold Coast

WORDS: David Simons PHOTOGRAPHY Brian Usher - www.usherusher.com 0412 910 857

As Cyclone Alfred barrels toward the Gold Coast, the atmosphere feels thick with tension. I’ve always found cyclones fascinating—a perfect storm of unpredictability and nature’s raw power, says David Simons. These weather systems are an enigma, so difficult to model, so inconsistent in their paths. What’s even more interesting about this one is its unusual trajectory: a cyclone that has swept down south and is now barreling toward Brisbane with full force. A rare and potentially devastating event. As I stand here, watching the dark skies grow heavier, the winds intensify, and the waves surge higher, there’s an eerie sense of anticipation.

In moments like this, it’s hard not to think about the Gold Coast’s long-standing efforts to mitigate the damage from storms like this. The local council has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into measures designed to protect the coastline. The most notable, of course, are the massive sea walls—one of which is the $20 million wall at Flat Rock. Along with a new wall at Currumbin, these structures were built to safeguard the region from the kind of destructive force that Alfred is about to unleash. But as the wind howls and the sea roars louder, I can’t help but wonder: will these walls hold up against the brutal power of nature? Will they stand their ground, or will they crumble under the weight of a cyclone’s fury?

On the streets, the locals are bracing themselves. As the storm draws near, there’s a palpable sense of urgency. People are out in droves, sandbagging their properties to the hilt, especially those with basement garages that sit directly on the beach. These homes, some below sea level, are facing the brunt of the storm head-on. The question that lingers in the air is whether those sandbags will even be enough to protect these properties from the floodwaters. With the cyclone expected to bring massive waves, high winds, and heavy rains, this could be the ultimate test of the region’s flood defense infrastructure.

As I walk along the beach, it’s impossible to ignore the raw force of nature on display. The waves are crashing against the shore with an intensity I’ve never seen before. The erosion is already noticeable—chunks of sand disappearing as the ocean roars closer. It’s clear that Alfred isn’t just any regular storm. The destruction it could leave in its wake is undeniable. The streets are deserted, with only a few brave souls taking a final look at the coastline before they retreat to safety.

For those on the front row of this storm—those whose homes sit closest to the water—I can only hope the massive sea walls and the protective measures the council has put in place will do their job. These multi-million-dollar investments were designed to weather storms like this. But with the destructive force of Alfred on the horizon, can they truly stand up to the ferocity of a full-blown cyclone?

The locals are ready, but so much of this depends on the cyclone’s path and the relentless waves and winds that will soon crash against the coast. To the residents who live high up, my advice is simple: bunker down. The full force of Cyclone Alfred is about to make landfall, and there’s no telling just how far it will reach. But for those at ground zero, who live just a stone’s throw away from the ocean, it’s a waiting game. Will the sandbags be enough? Will the multi-million-dollar walls hold up, or will they be swept away in a sea of rage?

We’ll see in the coming days how Alfred shapes this coast, and whether the significant investments made by the council will prove to be more than just a band-aid solution. The storm is almost here, and the time to prepare is running out.