In Wellington, New Zealand, Australia’s Prime Minister issued a warning about the ongoing consequences of a severe tropical storm that struck over the weekend. Despite the initial threat diminishing, parts of two states continued to grapple with dangerous floodwaters as of Monday.
The powerful storm claimed the life of one individual and caused injuries to several others when torrential rains battered the east coast of Australia on Saturday. The storm felled trees, uprooted power lines, and led to record-breaking rainfall in parts of Queensland and New South Wales. Fortunately, these regions avoided the chaos anticipated from the tropical weather system, which had been feared to land as the first tropical cyclone in southeastern Queensland in over five decades before it weakened.
By Monday afternoon, approximately 200,000 homes and businesses were without electricity due to what officials described as the most significant blackout in Queensland’s history. Additionally, more than 700 schools stayed closed. Residents near waterways were urged to either evacuate or remain indoors due to rising water levels, and further rainfall predictions heightened the urgency of warnings throughout the day. A disaster was declared in Ipswich, west of Brisbane, as a local river was expected to flood overnight, prompting evacuation orders for surrounding neighborhoods.
In communities where floodwaters began receding, cleanup efforts commenced, and power was gradually restored to tens of thousands of people, though the full extent of the damages remained uncertain. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that individuals whose work was disrupted by the storm could apply for up to 13 weeks of welfare assistance starting Tuesday.
In New South Wales’ city of Lismore, two military vehicles aiding in rescue operations overturned on Saturday, injuring 13 out of 36 personnel aboard. As of Monday, one person remained hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Australia’s Defense Minister Richard Marles.
Tragically, the storm claimed the life of a 61-year-old man reported missing in a flooded river near Dorrigo, New South Wales. His body was found on Saturday, police confirmed.
Albanese advised residents of Queensland and New South Wales to remain vigilant, underscoring the importance of safety given the persistent flood warnings. He emphasized the risks of attempting to travel in affected areas, saying, “If it’s flooded, forget it.”
While cyclones are typically common in the tropical northern regions of Queensland, they are rarer in the densely populated southeastern areas bordering New South Wales. Initially, Tropical Cyclone Alfred was predicted to be the first cyclone to reach this part of Australia since 1974. However, it weakened to a tropical low with sustained winds under 63 kph (39 mph) by Saturday.
There was concern about chaos similar to the severe floods that struck eastern Australia in 2011 and a series of events in 2022, during which over 20 people lost their lives. Authorities were relieved by the storm’s diminished intensity, though they remain alert for any subsequent threats.
