As Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches south-east Queensland, Gold Coast residents are reflecting on the region’s history of severe weather, recalling both destructive cyclones and a recent mini tornado. Significant cyclonic events have occurred in the past, notably the devastating Great Gold Coast Cyclone in 1954, another storm in 1962, and Tropical Cyclone Wanda in 1974, all of which resulted in intense rainfall and subsequent flooding.
Local resident Joan Rudd recounted a particularly severe rain event when the Nerang bridge was so overtaken by water that boats floated over it. “We had water over our house,” Rudd shared, illustrating the dramatic transformation of the landscape during such weather events. She described looking across the coast and seeing water from Nerang stretching all the way to the sea.
During those turbulent times, the army was mobilised to assist residents with sandbagging along the foreshore, creating makeshift barriers with crumpled cars and old drums to withstand the onslaught of waves. However, the power of the surf presented significant challenges, with heavy excavators nearly being swept away.
The southern Gold Coast, particularly areas like Kirra, has also faced major flooding in past storms. To counteract the erosion and hazards from massive swells, infrastructure such as the point at Kirra was developed to protect Coolangatta, while another groyne was built to stabilise the Currumbin region.
The community recently experienced another weather-related incident in December 2023, when a mini tornado struck, leaving a trail of destruction throughout the city. This creates an ongoing narrative of resilience amidst the forces of nature that Gold Coast residents must navigate.
The memories of these extreme weather events highlight the vulnerability and strength of the local community as they prepare for Cyclone Alfred’s arrival.