A tropical weather system of significant interest weakened into a tropical low as it made its way towards Australia’s east coast on Saturday. Initially expected to impact Brisbane, the country’s third-largest metropolis, with full force, it brought abundant rainfall to the coastal regions instead.

Originally identified as Tropical Cyclone Alfred, this system had gained attention due to predictions that it would be the first cyclone to make landfall near the Queensland state capital since the year 1974. On Friday, the cyclone drifted west with sustained winds reaching near 95 kph (59 mph) and gusts of up to 130 kph (81 mph).

By early Saturday, the cyclone had diminished, reclassified as a tropical low system. This classification is characterized by winds maintaining speeds below 63 kph (39 mph). According to forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology, the system was anticipated to make landfall north of Brisbane, specifically between Bribie Island and the Sunshine Coast, later that day.

Although cyclones frequently affect Queensland’s tropical northern areas, they remain uncommon in the temperate and heavily populated southeast, which borders New South Wales.

Despite its reduction in strength and its inland trajectory, officials warned that heavy rainfall and hazardous coastal surf conditions were expected to persist across southeast Queensland and northeastern New South Wales throughout the weekend.

Rivers in both Queensland and New South Wales experienced significant flooding, following several days of substantial rain, as reported by the bureau. In New South Wales alone, 39 individuals were rescued from floodwaters, with ongoing efforts to locate a missing person after they were swept down a river on Friday.

The weather turmoil prompted evacuations of more than 19,000 residents from low-lying areas. Furthermore, approximately 250,000 homes and businesses faced power outages, most notably impacting the Gold Coast city situated to the south of Brisbane.