Hundred of thousands of Queenslanders were plunged into darkness on Sunday when former Tropical Cyclone Alfred brought heavy rain and gale-force wind, issuing widespread flood warnings.
Power provider Energex reported that approximately 316,540 individuals lost electricity, with the Gold Coast bearing the brunt, losing electricity for over 112,000 individuals. The storm system crossed the coast on Saturday as a diminished tropical low after being a cyclone for 16 days, with emergency measures in place around the entire state.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned that conditions in Queensland and northern New South Wales remained severe due to strong winds and flash flooding. “Rainfall, damaging wind gusts, and coastal surf impacts are likely to continue over the next few days,” Albanese said in a TV address from Canberra.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecast that heavy rain potentially causing flash flooding would affect Brisbane, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, and Gympie. The wind, also to impact impacted areas, would reach 90 kph (60 mph). “It’s just a weak low but is producing big rain over the inland part of Queensland at the moment,” meteorologist Dean Narramore said.
Brisbane Airport resumed business on Sunday but warned travelers of potential disruptions resulting from the ongoing extreme weather. Meanwhile, Queensland authorities were assessing whether around 1,000 state schools would resume on Monday, with Premier David Crisafulli stating that schools on the Gold Coast would not open either due to power and infrastructure losses.
On Saturday, a man was killed in floodwaters in northern New South Wales, and an Australian Defence Force convoy assisting in Lismore was involved in a car crash, injuring several officers. Despite the destruction, Crisafulli was lavish in his praise for the community spirit and resilience of Queenslanders in the crisis.
