06-03-2025
Driver returns to find car in wild parking predicament ahead of Cyclone Alfred
As millions scramble to make last-minute preparations ahead of Cyclone Alfred's imminent landfall, viral footage has captured the moment a man returned to his parked car in a Brisbane alleyway, only to find it completely blocked in by an army of e-scooters packed in like sardines.
Thousands of the devices were neatly packed into the alleyway in the city's CBD, in an apparent bid to shelter them from the incoming category two storm. Unfortunately for one unlucky driver, this meant his car was completely wedged between rows upon rows of Lime and Neuron scooters, leaving the vehicle trapped.
In a scene reminiscent of real-life Tetris, footage captured the man painstakingly moving each scooter one by one, carefully clearing a path to freedom. Eventually, thanks to the help a companion, and after a significant period of time, the man eventually was able to free his car and drive off.
Online, amused Aussies applauded the man's efforts and patience. "He's out here playing Frogger, dodging scooters like it's an Olympic sport, just trying to reverse his way to freedom," the caption read when the video was shared by the Brisbane Instagram account. "Someone give this man a medal, or at least a free ride credit."
Despite the efforts to shelter the scooters from the imminent heavy winds, some Aussies argued "they will be heavy projectiles" as the weather worsens.
Yahoo News has reached out to the City of Brisbane Council as well as Lime and Neuron scooters for clarification over who was responsible for the scene.
Meanwhile, residents in Queensland's south-east and NSW's north are bracing for Cyclone Alfred's impact, which is expected to smash the coast early on Saturday morning.
Residents of 7,000 homes in Lismore have been given just hours to evacuate, in areas that were devastated in the 2022 floods. Public transport and schools have been closed in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, with expectations that winds and heavy rain will intensify over the 24 hours before Alfred finally hits the mainland.
Authorities in Queensland are warning people to stay away from the beaches as massive waves pound the coast. Parts of northern NSW have already been experienced intense rainfall, with 200mm recorded at Dorigo and 170mm at Mullumbimby. In some parts, an incredible 700mm is expected.
Evacuation orders were issued to residents throughout the Northern Rivers region of NSW with people told to take refuge with family or friends, or evacuation centres by 9pm on Thursday.
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A jet skier has been reported missing, as authorities beg surfers and sightseers to stay off the beaches. Incredible images taken on Thursday afternoon showed Gold Coast residents sprinting for cover as heavy rainfall and winds began to lash the area.
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