BoM path tracker shows ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred reaching mainland between Maroochydore and BrisbaneEx-Tropical Cyclone Alfred: what we know so farSend us your photographs and videos of ex-Cyclone AlfredGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWelfare recipients told to perform mutual obligations as cyclone bears downWe have a news story this morning about the impact the cyclone is already having on life in Queensland.Fallen trees and giant stands of bamboo blocked the single road to our farm until the army and council brought heavy machinery to clear a path some time after.We were without running water or power for days, maybe weeks, the packing shed a makeshift kitchen where we ate meals cooked off a gas barbecue and drank instant coffee made with rainwater and UHT milk to the hum of a generator. Continue reading…BoM path tracker shows ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred reaching mainland between Maroochydore and BrisbaneEx-Tropical Cyclone Alfred: what we know so farSend us your photographs and videos of ex-Cyclone AlfredGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWelfare recipients told to perform mutual obligations as cyclone bears downWe have a news story this morning about the impact the cyclone is already having on life in Queensland.Fallen trees and giant stands of bamboo blocked the single road to our farm until the army and council brought heavy machinery to clear a path some time after.We were without running water or power for days, maybe weeks, the packing shed a makeshift kitchen where we ate meals cooked off a gas barbecue and drank instant coffee made with rainwater and UHT milk to the hum of a generator. Continue reading…
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and the deputy PM, Richard Marles, have released a joint statement on the crash near Lismore involving two army trucks which has left 36 injured.
The pair said a number of ADF personnel had been injured, “some seriously”.
Medical assistance is on hand. We stress this is an ongoing incident.
Right now our focus is on the welfare of those involved and their families. Our ADF heroes were on their way to help Australians in need.
Labor clinches victory to govern for third term in Western Australia
Away from the cyclone, Labor will govern for a third term in Western Australia, with the Liberal Party failing to attract the swing required to threaten Roger Cook’s majority.
Polls predicted a 12-13 per cent swing could put up to 11 seats in reach of the Liberal Party.
AAP reports that, with eight per cent of the vote counted, Labor had held the crucial seats of South Perth, Bateman and Scarborough, falling well short of the 30 seats it needed to win government.
ABC election analyst Antony Green said there was nothing to indicate anything other than the Labor Party being re-elected.
“The current lead they have in terms of votes being narrowed, but it is clear the government has been re-elected.
“The Labor Party will be re-elected, that is what I will say.”
We reported earlier that 36 people were involved in a road accident involving Australian Defence Force vehicles at Lismore, in northern New South Wales.
Initial reports suggested the majority of those involved had sustained injuries, but that has now been clarified.
Of the 36 Brisbane-based military personnel involved in the incident, 13 were injured, Australian government minister Matt Keogh said.
Keogh provided no details on what had happened or the injuries.
Downing Street issues statement on Albanese call
We reported earlier on the PM’s phone call with UK counterpart Keir Starmer. Downing Street has now issued this statement:
The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese this morning.
The Prime Minister began by expressing his support for all Australians effected by the Cyclone and paid tribute to the strength of the partnership between the two countries.
The leaders agreed to stay in touch.
Jump in number of people in NSW and Queensland without power
According to Energex, some 293,780 homes and businesses in Queensland are now without power due to Alfred.
In NSW the latest figure is 31,000, meaning more than 324,000 properties are without power across both states.
New evacuation order issued in NSW
The New South Wales State Emergency Service has issued an evacuation order for areas impacted by flooding.
People rural areas along Yellow Rock Road and properties along Mylestom Drive should leave now before evacuation routes become blocked, NSW SES said.
It added:
Based on the predictions from the Bureau of Meteorology, rainfall associated with Ex. Tropical Cyclone Alfred may cause rapid river rises and extensive flooding.
Heavy and locally intense rainfall is continuing into the weekend over Northern NSW. Flash flooding is possible.
This event may change quickly. NSW SES will monitor the situation and update warnings if the situation changes.
For more information on what you need to do, click here.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred – in pictures
Here are some of the latest images we’ve been sent by news agency photographers:
UK prime minister offers sympathy in call with Albanese
Anthony Albanese says he has spoken with his UK counterpart, Keir Starmer, this evening. The pair spoke about AUKUS, Ukraine and the cyclone.
On X, the prime minister posted:
Thank you for your sympathy for the impact of Cyclone Alfred.
Heavy rainfall is now the ‘real threat’, officials say
While the worst of the destructive winds may have been avoided, Bureau of Meteorology manager Matt Collopy has warned Alfred is likely to track west across the Australian mainland in the coming days, bringing heavy rain.
Collopy told reporters:
The real threat now is from that locally heavy-to-intense rainfall, which may lead to flash and riverine flooding.
Many thanks for joining me on the blog this evening. I’ll be handing the reins over to Hamish Mackay, who will continue to bring you the latest into the night.
Here is where the ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred situation is now at:
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The tropical low is slowly approaching the coast at Bribie Island, with a crossing expected “in the next hour or two”.
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The Bureau of Meteorology expects it to move west and cross the Queensland mainland between Maroochydore and Caboolture this evening.
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Emergency services have been responding to a collision between two army trucks near Lismore, where 36 have been reported as injured.
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Heavy rainfall is set to continue across south-east Queensland and northern NSW during the weekend. Both regions are on high alert for flooding, particularly at Lismore.
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In NSW, dozens of emergency warnings remain in place, with thousands under evacuation notices. Only one emergency warning remains in place for Queensland.
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Energex has indicated that full power restoration may take more than a week for south-east Queensland, where about 262,000 properties remain without power.
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In northern NSW, roughly 31,000 are impacted by power outages.
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The body of a man has been found in NSW, believed to be that of a 61-year-old who was swept into flood waters near Dorrigo yesterday afternoon.
To those in the impacted areas, please take care and look after yourself, and those around you.
The Bureau of Meteorology has released an updated tracking map for ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
It says the system is slowly approaching the coast at Bribie Island, “with a crossing expected in the next hour or two”.
The system is now located 60km north-east of Brisbane and 45km south-east of Maroochydore, and is slow moving.
Heavy rainfall is forecast to continue over south-east Queensland and north-east NSW through the weekend as ex-TC Alfred crosses the mainland coast “this evening and moves slowly inland”.
The system crossed Moreton Island as a category one system just after midnight this morning, and weakened to a tropical low at 6am.
About 286,000 without power across NSW and Queensland
Let’s check in on the power outages across south-east Queensland and northern NSW.
According to Energex, 255,590 properties remained without power in south-east Queensland. The most impacted LGA was the Gold Coast, which accounted for 131,967 of the outages.
In NSW, about 31,000 properties from Tweeds Heads through to Grafton were without power, according to Essential Energy.
This means across both states about 286,000 remained in the dark.
PM and emergency minister express condolences after man dies in NSW floods
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has sent his condolences to the family of a 61-year-old man who died in flood waters near Dorrigo, in northern NSW.
Tragic news out of New South Wales this evening with confirmation a man has died in floodwaters near Dorrigo. Our thoughts are with his loved ones and the community at this heartbreaking time.
The emergency management minister, Jenny McAllister, has also issued a statement after the news:
Deeply saddened to hear that authorities have confirmed a man has died in floodwaters near Dorrigo. Our thoughts are with his loved ones and his community.
Dutton sends ‘thoughts, prayers and gratitude’ to injured defence personnel
Peter Dutton says he is “deeply concerned” by reports that defence personnel have been seriously injured in a crash while assisting with flood recovery near Lismore.
In a post to social media, the opposition leader wrote:
The ADF is at the forefront of Australia’s disaster response, bravely stepping into danger to protect and support communities.
Our thoughts, prayers and gratitude are with them, their families, and their fellow personnel. Wishing all those injured a full and speedy recovery.
Defence confirms a number of personnel providing support in Lismore injured in crash
The Australian defence force has issued a statement on the crash involving two of its vehicles near Lismore this afternoon.
It confirmed that a number of personnel who were providing community support in Lismore amid ex-TC Alfred were injured in the collision.
The welfare of ADF members and their families is a priority and defence’s focus is on supporting those involved.
Due to the developing nature of the incident, no further information will be available at this time, however defence will provide further updates when possible.
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