Brisbane has experienced its most significant rainfall in fifty years, resulting in severe flash flooding that has driven numerous rescues and generated thousands of emergency calls for assistance. As of now, nearly 230,000 properties across Queensland and northern New South Wales remain without electricity, raising concerns that upcoming high tides may exacerbate flooding conditions.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented on the ongoing crisis from Lismore, emphasising that the situation is far from resolved. Areas such as Logan and the Gold Coast are also heavily impacted, with roads submerged and communities inundated. In Ipswich, west of Brisbane, residents are bracing for potential evacuations as the Bremer River has overflowed.
Further afield, Nambour on the Sunshine Coast is grappling with heightened flood risks. One local who climbed onto his car roof to escape rising waters remarked on his “extreme good fortune” in a precarious situation. Over 100 kilometres away in Grantham, authorities have begun evacuation prompts after significant flooding, with alarm sirens sounding in the area.
In a record-setting 24-hour period, Queensland’s State Emergency Service received over 3,600 requests for help, leading to increased police presence as they assist with flood responses. Major flood warnings are currently active for several rivers, including the Bremer, Logan, and Albert Rivers, indicating the widespread nature of the threat. Severe weather warnings echo throughout parts of the Northern Rivers and Mid-North Coast.
On top of immediate emergency measures, hardship payments are being rolled out for those affected by Cyclone Alfred, which has impacted 31 local government areas. Although numerous schools have reopened, many remain closed due to the extensive damage.
In New South Wales, particularly in Lismore, the situation is gradually improving, with only one evacuation order presently active. NSW Premier Chris Minns has conveyed optimism as floodwaters recede, with power restorations underway for thousands of homes previously affected.
Despite ongoing hazards, including warnings of potential rescues and debris clearance operations from the military, meteorologists predict a decrease in rainfall intensity in the coming days. However, the previous rainfall, aggregating between 200 to 400 millimetres across the region, has left an indelible mark on the landscape and the communities within it.