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5 - Minute Briefing
Emergency Update: Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred Downgraded But Severe Risks Remain
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Emergency Update: Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred Downgraded But Severe Risks Remain

Ex-tropical cyclone Alfred has been downgraded to a tropical low after crossing the Moreton Bay Islands early this morning, but authorities warn that serious risks remain as it approaches mainland Australia in the coming hours.

Key Developments:

  • Alfred crossed Moreton Bay Islands as a category one cyclone before being downgraded

  • More than 250,000 homes currently without power across affected regions

  • One person reported missing in floodwaters with search and rescue operations underway

  • Significant flooding expected across southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales

Government Response:

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the nation from the National Situation Room in Canberra, emphasizing that despite the downgrade, the storm will still bring "strong winds, heavy rain, flooding and dangerous conditions" throughout the weekend and beyond.

"Now is the time to remain alert, stay inside and look after each other," Albanese said. "Remain safe in your home unless you've been advised to evacuate."

Defence Force Deployment:

Rear Admiral Jonathan Early detailed the Australian Defence Force's contributions, including:

  • 300,000 sandbags provided to Queensland

  • 60 ADF personnel with 30 high-clearance vehicles in Queensland

  • 120 ADF personnel with 30 high-clearance vehicles in northern New South Wales

  • Two search and rescue aircraft ready for immediate deployment

  • Medium-lift helicopter capabilities available by tomorrow, weather permitting

Financial Assistance:

The government stands ready to activate disaster payments for affected communities:

  • Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment: $1,000 per adult and $400 per child

  • Disaster Recovery Allowance: Payments for up to 13 weeks for those unable to work

  • Additional joint Commonwealth-state funding for immediate personal costs

Residents are urged to download the MyGov app to facilitate access to emergency payments.

Critical Warnings:

Authorities continue to emphasize the message: "If it's flooded, forget it." Residents in flood-prone areas are being advised to follow evacuation orders promptly when issued by the State Emergency Service.

The Bureau of Meteorology clarified that while the cyclone has been downgraded, this is a common occurrence when storms stall at coastlines and lose energy from warm water pools. Officials stress that the danger has not passed and communities should remain vigilant.

Updates are available via the Disaster QLD website, NSW SES website, Bureau of Meteorology, and local ABC radio stations.


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Image : FB David Crisafulli

Queenland Premier David Crisafulli ⬆️ in his latest press conference this morning.

Cyclone Alfred has been downgraded to a tropical low after making landfall overnight, but Premier David Crisafulli highlights that Southeast Queensland residents will face significant challenges in the upcoming days.

The weather system, which reached Category 2 strength yesterday evening off the Bay Islands coast, was downgraded to Category 1 at midnight before crossing Moreton Island near Tangalooma at approximately 1am. By 6am today, the system was downgraded to a tropical low and is currently located off the coast near Bribie Island.

Impact Assessment

Wind Damage

Significant wind gusts were recorded overnight:

  • 107 km/h at Gold Coast Seaway

  • 93 km/h at Brisbane Airport

  • 85 km/h at Redcliffe

These strong winds have caused various property damage, including:

  • One apartment building on the Gold Coast had its roof blown off due to the strong winds.

  • Multiple instances of fallen trees affecting homes, vehicles, and power lines

Coastal Impact

In what Premier Crisafulli described as a "tremendous, tremendous result," The region avoided storm tide inundation because the system did not reach the coast during high tide. The Premier stressed the significant achievement of no homes experiencing storm tide inundation, highlighting the importance of this result. However, extreme beach erosion has occurred, significantly jeopardizing the stability and functionality of Gold Coast's essential infrastructure, including roads and buildings, has been significantly jeopardized by beach erosion..

Rainfall

Substantial precipitation has been recorded in the past 19 hours:

  • 240mm at Springbrook

  • 200mm at Tullabudra

  • 100mm at Mount Cotton

Current Challenges

Power Outages

Nearly 250,000 homes are currently without power—what Premier Crisafulli called "the single biggest loss we have seen in over a decade since Oswald." The Premier acknowledged that restoring power is a huge challenge, but assured that they are capable of handling it.

Emergency response includes:

  • 1,200 pre-positioned Energex staff who, according to Crisafulli, "are out there ready to rumble"

  • 800 additional staff from Ergon network being deployed from the northern parts of the state

Critical Infrastructure

Several essential facilities currently face challenges:

  • Gold Coast University Hospital remains on generator power

  • Water treatment plants at Mount Cotton and Alexandra Hills are without mains power, with emergency generators operational

Flooding Risk

"The imminent challenge in the next few days is the heavy rainfall," warned Premier Crisafulli, emphasizing the critical and immediate threat of potential flooding. With already saturated catchments increasing flash flooding risks, the Premier emphasized this "remains a real prospect with some of the rainfall predicted in the days ahead."

"I urge Queenslanders to remain vigilant and check the disaster.qld.gov.au website to assess if their property is in a high-risk zone, ensuring proactive measures for their safety and preparedness." "Exercise caution on the roads by avoiding flooded areas and driving slowly. Take proactive steps such as securing loose objects and preparing emergency kits to ensure the safety of yourself and your family."

Recovery Efforts

He highlighted that crews from Energex, local councils, SES, Rural Fire Service, and Queensland Fire and Rescue are "there standing ready in the field to do what needs to be done."

Premier Crisafulli thanked the residents of Southeast Queensland, many of whom experienced a cyclone for the first time, for their resilience and unity during this challenging period. "I want to thank the people in a largely populated area, the vast majority of whom have never been through a cyclone before and I can imagine would have been pretty daunting last night, many with no power, wind and rain, and yet they did exactly what was needed," he stated.

While acknowledging the challenges ahead, particularly regarding flood risk, the Premier expressed confidence in the region's resilience: "There remains a real risk of flooding in the days ahead, but this isn't anything that this part of the state hasn't dealt with before. It's a challenge that Queenslanders have risen to time and time again, and it's a challenge that they'll rise to yet again this time."

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