Tropical Cyclone Alfred has delivered towering king tides over 12m high across beaches on Queensland’s south-east coast today.
With only hours now left to spare before Alfred is expected to make landfall, surf conditions across the Gold Coast have become even more dangerous as huge swells inundate shorelines.
Residents have captured terrifying footage of the treacherous waves as they smashed the coastline, with cyclonic swells seen at multiple beaches including Currumbin and Main Beach.
Monster 12-metre wave recorded as cyclone slowly approaches
Main Beach on the Gold Coast recorded a monster swell topping 12.3 metres overnight, which Queensland Premier David Crisafulli described as the “highest ever recorded”.
These 12m waves were seen three times in the past 24 hours, according to Queensland government data.
The dangerous waves have resulted in authorities asking locals to please avoid the coast until Alfred passes.
However, some keen surfers ignored the warnings and took advantage of the huge swells.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a hazardous surf warning early today and said swell conditions are expected to be dangerous for any coastal activities.
This warning was issued for today and tomorrow across the K’gari Coast, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast waters.
“We have seen the sea pick up yesterday and we see abnormally high tide which means the water levels are higher than you would normally see for the highest tide of the year and that is something we are monitoring closely,” said Bureau of Meteorology’s Jane Golding.
“The waves are powerful and we expect significant coastal erosion is well associated with this.”
Surf Live Saving Queensland warned people to stay out of the water and avoid surf-exposed areas including coastal rock platforms.
A woman aged in her 70s was injured after a wave knocked her over in Currumbin yesterday around 5pm AEDT.
The woman was left with lacerations to her head and leg injuries after she hit her head on the rocks near Duringan Street and Pacific Parade, Queensland Ambulance said.
She was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition.
A City of Gold Coast Council spokesperson said everyone should stay away from the beach.
“We are urging everyone – including swimmers, board riders, boaties and fishers – to stay off the beach,” the spokesperson said.
High tide is forecast for the Gold Coast at 1pm AEDT today.
