Cyclone Alfred Updates: Live Power Outages and Flood Warnings for Queensland and New South Wales

Cyclone Alfred has weakened into a tropical low weather system, but officials warn that the storm can still bring severe winds and flooding to the eastern coast of Australia. The cyclone has blacked out more than a quarter of a million homes and businesses, prompting evacuation orders for thousands of people. Brisbane city council flood maps predict that almost 20,000 properties in the Queensland capital could be affected by storm surges or flooding.

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of heavy-to-locally intense rainfall leading to flash and riverine flooding as the ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred moves inland. More than 330,000 homes and businesses have lost power on both sides of the border between NSW and Queensland, with 291,000 premises affected in Queensland and 45,000 in New South Wales. The suburbs identified as most at risk of flooding include Nudgee Beach, Brighton, Windsor, Ashgrove, Morningside, and Rocklea.

Residents are urged to stay indoors and prepare for the worst, with peak flooding and storm surges expected from Thursday. The council says impacts may extend beyond those areas highlighted in the modelling, and affected properties could experience damage ranging from mild inundation in yards to significant flooding inside homes. For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, residents can visit Get Ready Queensland, and for emergency assistance, they can call the State Emergency Service (SES) in NSW or Queensland on 132 500.