Cyclone Alfred Highlights: Cyclone now a ‘tropical low’, but situation in Queensland, NSW still serious with power outage, flooding risks

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has urged residents to remain cautious, warning that "even though the rain is subsiding, there is still a tremendous amount of water coming through for isolated flash flooding to occur, so don't take your chances, take a longer route home," as reported by The Guardian.

According to NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe, the number of homes without power has significantly decreased to less than 10,000, down from 43,000, with Essential Energy working around the clock to restore power as quickly as possible, particularly for isolated communities.

The budget is set to be released on March 25, with the government emphasizing its commitment to cost-of-living support. The Prime Minister pointed to the government's track record, citing tax cuts for all Australian taxpayers, as well as relief measures such as cheaper energy bills, childcare, and medicines. (The Guardian)

The situation in Northern New South Wales remains unpredictable, with the State Emergency Service (SES) warning that flooding in the region is still a major concern, particularly in areas such as Grafton, where the Clarence River is nearing the major flooding mark of 5.4 metres.

Hundreds of thousands of people in Queensland, Australia, were left without power on Sunday after Alfred, a downgraded tropical cyclone, brought strong winds and heavy rainfall, triggering flood warnings.

Energy provider Energex reported that 316,540 residents lost power, with the Gold Coast being the hardest hit, affecting over 112,000 people. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned that the situation remains serious, telling Reuters, “Heavy rainfall, damaging wind gusts, and coastal surf impacts are expected to continue over coming days.”

The Bureau of Meteorology said flash flooding could affect Brisbane, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, and Gympie, while winds of up to 90 kph (60 mph) remain possible. State Premier David Crisafulli confirmed that schools would reopen where safe, except in the Gold Coast due to power outages and transport disruptions.

Meanwhile, one man died in northern New South Wales due to flooding, and an accident involving Australian Defence Force vehicles injured several officers en route to assist in Lismore.

(with inputs from Reuters)

Queensland Premier Mr. Crisafulli has announced that NAPLAN tests will go ahead as scheduled on Wednesday for schools that can operate normally. However, schools affected by closures will have a two-week window to administer the tests, with a backup plan in place for Monday, March 17. "It will proceed on Wednesday if you have not been impacted. If you have been impacted there is that window," Mr. Crisafulli stated, emphasizing the importance of proceeding with the tests, as reported by ABC News.

"Floodwaters are incredibly unpredictable and it's just not worth the risk," NSW SES Acting Chief Superintendent Stuart Fisher warned, after emergency services performed six flood rescues overnight, including one where a family of eight tried to navigate through floodwaters. "Do not drive through floodwaters. It absolutely astounds me that this still occurs," Fisher emphasized, relieved that SES crews were able to rescue the family safely, reported by ABC News.

Acting Gold Coast Mayor Donna Gates expressed her distress over the devastation caused by ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, saying it's "horrible" to see the damage to the city's beaches. "It's really upsetting to see the beaches, horrible, the damage is really quite upsetting," she emphasized.

Gates urged people to stay away from the shore, warning that buildings along the beach have suffered structural damage. "They may look safe, in fact, the foundations are gone in some instances," she cautioned, highlighting the severity of the situation.

Public transport services on the Gold Coast will be suspended tomorrow. According to Acting Mayor Donna Gates, approximately 225,000 traffic intersections have been impacted, with 20% of traffic lights still out of operation. Gates stated, "Things will start opening again tomorrow, but clearly, we still don't know what the results of today's storm will be." Meanwhile, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has returned to the city and is expected to resume duties on the ground from 10 am today. (ABC News)

Energy Minister Penny Sharpe has urged Lismore residents not to return home despite the levee not being breached, citing safety concerns including live electricity wires, debris, and rotten areas. "You may think that it is OK to go back home, but until you are told to do so, please don't," she warned, as reported by ABC News.

Tweed Mayor Chris Cherry has warned that half of the town's residents are without power, with many facing multiple days without electricity, and the water supply is critical, with a burst main and power outages affecting reservoirs, prompting a boil water alert. (The Guardian)

Emergency services in NSW have conducted 36 flood rescues in recent days, mostly for people who have attempted to drive on flooded roads, despite warnings to avoid unnecessary travel. According to Debbie Platz, the majority of these rescues were preventable, putting not only the drivers' lives at risk but also those of their families and emergency services personnel, according to a report by Reuters.

Qantas is working to restart domestic and international flights at Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Maroochydore airports from 6am tomorrow, subject to weather conditions and safety assessments. The airline plans to progressively rebuild its schedule throughout the day, with teams working to safely and quickly assist customers traveling in and out of southeast Queensland and northern NSW. (The Guardian)

Four people on the Gold Coast were hospitalised with carbon monoxide poisoning after running a power generator indoors, according to Acting Mayor Donna Reyes, reported by ABC News.

Thankfully, they have recovered, but the incident serves as a crucial reminder to ensure generators are used in well-ventilated outdoor areas, as carbon monoxide is a deadly, odorless, and colorless gas that can accumulate in enclosed spaces.

Acting Gold Coast Mayor Donna Gates has provided an update on the ex-tropical cyclone situation, stating that while there was significant rainfall overnight, with 283mm recorded at Springbrook, the outlook for today is more positive.

"We are expecting possibly 100-200mm of rain, whereas yesterday, the estimate was much higher of 300-400mm," Gates said, adding that Brisbane is now expected to bear the brunt of the heavy rainfall rather than the Gold Coast. Gates also noted that while there was major riverine flooding overnight, "that risk has decreased as well", as reported by The Guardian.

Residents of Darlington Beach, a resort and holiday park north of Coffs Harbour in NSW, breathed a sigh of relief after a predicted flash flooding event failed to materialize. Retiree Ron Jacks and his wife, who had lost their home and car in a previous flood, had taken precautions and evacuated to higher ground, but were relieved to find their home undamaged when they returned. (ABC News)

NSW Labor Senator Tony Sheldon, Special Envoy for Disaster Recovery, has sounded the alarm that the worst of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred is yet to come, with further rain expected to hit within the next 36 hours.

In an update to ABC TV, Sheldon emphasized that communities should remain vigilant, as the situation is far from under control. "We still have a great deal of challenges," he cautioned, stressing the need for continued awareness and preparedness.

NSW Premier Chris Minns concluded a press conference with a stern reminder that despite his own slip-up in referring to Cyclone Alfred as "Albert", the threat posed by the ex-tropical cyclone to northern communities is very real. Minns emphasized that the cyclone remains a serious threat to thousands of people living in the Northern Rivers and coastal areas, and urged residents not to underestimate its potential impact. (The Guardian)

NSW Police Superintendent Scott Tanner has been appointed as the recovery coordinator for regions affected by Cyclone Alfred, announced Mal Lanyon, CEO of NSW Reconstruction Authority. Superintendent Tanner, commander of the Richmond police district, brings extensive experience in emergency management, having worked closely with Lanyon during the 2022 floods.

The reconstruction authority is working with councils, the EPA, and transport to focus on quick cleanup and recovery, prioritizing debris removal and immediate roadwork to restore normalcy to the affected communities. (The Guardian)

Gold Coast Acting Mayor Donna Gates warns that "the worst is yet to come" as the city experiences "patchy" weather, with winds of up to 120 km/h and 255 mm of rain expected over a six-hour period, as reported by ABC News. Although ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred has been downgraded to a tropical low, its impacts are still being felt, and Mayor Gates urges residents to remain vigilant.

Essential Energy reports that 42,600 homes and businesses in northern NSW are without power due to tropical cyclone Alfred. The severe winds and heavy rain have caused widespread damage, leaving a path of fallen trees and debris that must be cleared before powerlines can be repaired.

While there's no major damage to zone substations or Essential Energy depots, weather conditions are expected to deteriorate, bringing more rain and hampering restoration efforts. Crews will continue to make repairs when safe, with additional crews on standby to assist with cleanup and restoration once the cyclone clears.

A damaged foreshore of a beach is seen following heavy rains and winds caused by Cyclone Alfred on the Gold Coast, Australia. (Reuters)

A man walks past a fallen pine tree at Broadbeach following heavy rains and winds caused by Cyclone Alfred on the Gold Coast, Australia. (Reuters)

A beloved landmark on the Gold Coast has been destroyed after strong winds toppled the iconic big golf ball at Mermaid Beach's putt putt course, crushing a fence and part of the course overnight. (ABC News)

Commissioner Wassing is strongly advising residents to leave their homes if it is still safe to do so, with evacuation orders still in place, although a mandatory evacuation has not been implemented, reported by ABC news. Emergency services are available to guide and assist those who need help, and residents are cautioned to exercise caution as the situation continues to unfold.

Mick Logan from the Bureau of Meteorology reports that rivers are rising and flooding is occurring across multiple rivers and creeks on the mid north coast and Northern Rivers, with moderate flooding in the Tweed, Richmond, Wilsons, Clarence, Bellinger and Nambucca river systems, and major flood warnings in place, particularly for Lismore, where river levels are expected to peak near the height of the CBD levy on Saturday afternoon.

Staff look at a map showing Tropical Cyclone Alfred at the National Situation Room in Canberra, Australia. (AP)

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is inching towards Australia's densely populated eastern coastline, bringing violent winds that have already toppled power lines. As of Friday morning, the cyclone was 165 kilometres (100 miles) east of Brisbane city, crawling towards the shore at a slow pace, according to government forecasts.