Tropical Cyclone Alfred weakens before reaching Brisbane, Australia

ISTANBUL

Tropical Cyclone Alfred weakened into a tropical low Saturday as it neared Brisbane, Australia, bringing heavy rain and flooding risks to the region, according to officials.

Initially expected to make landfall as the first cyclone to strike southeast Queensland since 1974, Alfred's winds dropped to under 39 mph (63 kph) as it shifted inland.

"The major concern now is heavy-to-locally intense rainfall leading to flash and riverine flooding," said Bureau of Meteorology manager Matt Collopy, referencing the cyclone's path north of Brisbane between Bribie Island and the Sunshine Coast.

Though cyclones are common in Queensland's tropical north, they are rare in the state's temperate southeast. Flash floods swept away a 61-year-old man in New South Wales, while 21 people were evacuated in Gold Coast after a building lost its roof.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli was relieved the storm did not coincide with high tide, sparing coastal homes from severe inundation. "To have no homes reported with storm tide inundation is a tremendous result," he said.

The storm left nearly 300,000 homes without power across Queensland and New South Wales, with fallen trees damaging power lines, cars and homes. In Queensland, nearly 250,000 homes were affected, marking the state’s largest blackout in a decade.

The Sunshine Coast, which experienced less damage, prepared for worsening conditions as the system approached.

"We are breathing a sigh of relief because we are not seeing right now the same impact as our neighbors to the south," Mayor Rosanna Natoli noted.