Cyclone Alfred may have lost steam as it hit ‘s east coast but it has certainly whipped up some backlash online over the Bureau of Meteorology’s dire warnings.
The government weather agency issued alerts throughout the week that southeast Queensland and northeast NSW could be devastated by the category two system – the first cyclone to hit the region in five decades.
It was downgraded to a category one as it neared the coast and was not even a cyclone but a tropical low as it made landfall, though there is still a danger of widespread flooding from prolonged rainfall, particularly in the NSW Northern Rivers.
‘All that work and money spent on preparation for some drizzle. The mosquitoes are more dangerous than this supposed cat2/tropical low,’ one person said.
‘Of course but they shut the city down and public transport for that,’ another said.
Schools, public transport, supermarkets and airports were closed across the region in the lead up to the weather system hitting.
Some people online mocked the Bureau for ‘crying wolf’ and described the fierce storm as ‘a fizzer’.
The Bureau of Meteorology pointed out the cyclone ‘category’ system refers to wind speed only and urged people to refrain from celebrating just yet as the rain and floods still represent to danger.
‘Now, just as a reminder to everyone, the category of tropical cyclone is based on the wind strength and wind gust speed,’ Bureau meteorologist Miriam Bradbury says.
‘That means we’ve seen those winds backing off over the last few hours, leading to that weakening in the system.
‘However, it doesn’t speak to the rain and flooding risk that we’re still anticipating.
‘The system is no longer a tropical cyclone, but significant, severe weather warnings and flood warnings remain in place, flagging that risk of heavy rainfall, flash flooding and riverine flooding through the rest of today and going into tomorrow.’
Memes and videos making fun at the Bureau are appearing online too.
One Queenslanders said the state was determined to ‘rebuild’ in the wake of the carnage and posted a picture of a blown over deck chair.
Another resident posted a tongue-in-cheek video highlighting the devastating damage the cyclone caused in his backyard, which showed it mostly unaffected.