Heavy rain and strong winds have hit Australia’s east coast as ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred moves across the region. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has warned that the worst is yet to come. He urged residents to stay alert and take the situation seriously.
The cyclone has already caused significant impacts in Queensland and New South Wales, bringing flooding and dangerous conditions. Albanese emphasized that people should remain indoors and look out for one another during this challenging weather event.
Tragically, authorities reported the death of a 61-year-old man who was found in a flooded river near Dorrigo, New South Wales. This incident highlights the dangers posed by the severe weather.
Initially, Tropical Cyclone Alfred was expected to be the first cyclone to make landfall near Brisbane since 1974. However, it weakened into a tropical low on Saturday, with winds dropping below 39 mph. Despite this downgrade, the Bureau of Meteorology warns that heavy rain and flooding could still worsen in the coming days.
Fallen trees have already caused damage to homes, cars, and power lines. The Gold Coast’s beaches have been eroded, leaving steep cliffs. More than 330,000 homes and businesses have lost power, marking the largest outage from a natural disaster in the region’s history. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli stated that emergency services are working hard to restore power and clear roads blocked by debris.
As of now, around 19,000 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas. In Queensland, one woman suffered minor injuries when a roof blew off her apartment building. Two others narrowly escaped injury when a large tree fell on their home.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued flood warnings, stating that rivers are rising quickly and flash floods are a major risk. The peak of flooding is expected overnight Saturday into early Sunday, with some areas possibly receiving up to 300mm of rain in the next 24 hours.
Albanese has reminded everyone not to become complacent just because the cyclone has weakened. His message remains clear: if it’s flooded, don’t attempt to cross. Local leaders, like Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye, have expressed relief that the cyclone did not hit as hard as feared, but the situation remains tense.
As the storm continues to move west across the mainland, the focus remains on safety and recovery efforts. Residents are advised to stay informed and heed warnings from local authorities.