A British traveller has called some Aussies ‘unhinged’ for how they’re responding to the approaching cyclone.
Raxu, a solo traveller visiting Australia, questioned some people’s attitude towards the impending weather event, in a video posted to social media.
She was shocked to see enthusiastic surfers heading into the dangerous waters despite the severe weather.
‘Tell me why there’s a cyclone about to hit the Gold Coast and everyone’s surfing,’ she said.
‘They’re saying the swells are good, they’re saying the surf is good, they’re saying the waves are good but there’s literally a cyclone coming their way.
‘Everyone’s been told to stay in and evacuate, but they don’t seem to take it seriously.
‘They’re a little bit unhinged. I wouldn’t be surfing, bro.
‘The Australians are confusing me.’
TikTok user Raxu couldn’t believe what she was seeing as Aussies braced for Cyclone Alfred
Her post sparked plenty of responses, with many Aussies explaining their laid-back attitude.
‘As a wise Aussie man once said ‘she’ll be right’,’ one person posted.
Another said: ‘We think everything is funny til it’s not’.
A third said: ‘It’s just the Aussie way. Everything’s a joke, until it’s really not a joke anymore, hope this helps.’
Cyclone Alfred, a category two system is predicted to impact southeast Queensland between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, crossing the coast on Saturday.
The system has recorded winds up to 90km/h at its centre and gusts of 130km/h.
It is forecast to bring daily rainfall totals between 200mm and 400mm from Thursday to Saturday, likely leading to ‘life-threatening’ flooding.
The cyclone warning zone spans Double Island Point, Queensland to Grafton, NSW, with Brisbane, the Gold Coast and hinterland to cop the brunt of strong winds.
The cyclone’s arrival will coincide with high tide in Queensland, possibly impacting 20,000 properties in Brisbane, almost 5000 on the Sunshine Coast and 6000 on the Gold Coast.
Australian Defence Force assistance has been activated with helicopters deployed to Bundaberg and Coffs Harbour.
