Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred is moving towards the Australian mainland, with its expected arrival causing anxiety among residents. The storm, which made landfall at Moreton Island around midnight AEST, has since weakened and lost its cyclone status by 6 am. According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), as of 7.45 pm, the system was located approximately 60 kilometres north-northeast of Brisbane and 45 kilometres south-southeast of Maroochydore, with a coastline crossing anticipated within the next couple of hours.
Despite the storm’s downgrade, its effects have already been felt, with downed trees and power lines reported across affected areas. Over 295,000 properties in Queensland and more than 31,000 in northern New South Wales are without power. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli described the impact as unprecedented, labelling it the “largest ever loss of power from a natural disaster in Queensland’s history.” He likened the destruction to previous severe weather events like Cyclone Yasi, underscoring the storm’s extensive reach.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed condolences amid the situation, highlighting the emotional toll on affected families and communities. As preparations continue for the storm’s landfall, emergency services are at the forefront, though incidents have already occurred, including a crash involving Australian Defence Force personnel aiding in recovery efforts, injuring 36 individuals.
As of now, all emergency warnings in Queensland have been lifted, leaving only watch and act alerts for regions between the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast. Retailers such as Coles and Woolworths have started reopening stores, with some airlines resuming flights from Brisbane and nearby airports. Public transport services, including buses, will operate under normal Sunday schedules, although train services remain suspended due to debris on tracks.
Looking ahead, forecasts indicate that while destructive winds are no longer a concern, heavy rainfall and flood warnings are in effect for south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales, with expected showers throughout the weekend as Alfred continues its slow journey inland.