Communities across northern New South Wales are still on high alert as the aftermath of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred brings heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding. Even as the cleanup begins, the danger isn’t over yet.
The Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast areas have been hit hardest, with rainfalls of up to 100mm in just six hours. Towns from Tweed Heads to Gunnedah are already soaked, and the risk of flash flooding remains.
Authorities are closely watching the Clarence, Richmond, and Tweed rivers. In Grafton, the Clarence River more than doubled its height in just 24 hours, peaking at 5.7 meters before slowly falling. The Richmond River is still rising in some areas, keeping nearby towns on edge.
While some towns like Lismore have lifted evacuation orders, officials warn the situation remains risky. Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib reminded everyone that despite some improvements, many areas still face threats from flooding and dangerous weather.
Power outages are also a major issue. Nearly 10,000 homes and businesses in NSW are still without electricity, down from a peak of 43,000. Schools and public transport have also been heavily affected, with hundreds of closures.
In Queensland, the situation is just as dire. Parts of Brisbane and the Gold Coast are dealing with flash flooding and emergency warnings, with over 200,000 homes still in the dark. Fortunately, there was some relief when an 18-year-old boy feared missing in Logan was found safe.
Tragically, the storms have already claimed lives. A 61-year-old man in northern NSW was swept away by floodwaters, and emergency crews have carried out 18 flood rescues in just 24 hours.
The recovery effort is massive. More than 1,000 Australian Defence Force troops are on the ground helping communities, and a $15 million recovery fund has been set up for the hardest-hit areas. Financial support for individuals is also rolling out, with eligible workers able to access 13 weeks of income support and one-off disaster payments of $1,000 for adults and $400 for children.
As the cleanup begins, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the efforts of emergency workers and volunteers, urging people to listen to official advice and stay safe. With more rain possible and the long road to recovery ahead, the focus now is on rebuilding and supporting those affected by this devastating weather event.
