Flooding Threatens Eastern Australia as Cyclone Alfred Weakens

As Tropical Cyclone Alfred dissipates, eastern Australia grapples with severe flooding, power outages, and a missing person. Communities brace for continued rain and risks while emergency services scramble for rescue efforts.

As the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Alfred continue to wreak havoc on eastern Australia, reports indicate that one person is missing, hundreds of thousands are without electricity, and many communities face the dire threat of substantial flooding. The storm, now downgraded, is still producing heavy rains and gusty winds along the coast, especially in regions south of Brisbane.

The Australian city of Brisbane, situated in the cyclone's trajectory, largely evaded significant damage. However, its nearby state of New South Wales is enduring the brunt of the storm's aftermath, with flooding caused by a slow-moving weather system coinciding with high tides.

Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales, reported searching for a man from the small town of Dorrigo who disappeared following more than 10 inches of rain overnight that led to rapid flooding. “This emergency is not over,” he warned. “The rivers are full, the rain is continuing and expected to keep falling in the days ahead, and wind conditions are very high and extreme.”

Authorities revealed that the missing man was swept away while driving and momentarily clung to a tree before being overtaken by rising waters, making rescue efforts challenging.

In total, over 300,000 residences lost power due to the storm’s impact, with emergency services reporting around 30 flood rescues within a 24-hour timeframe, primarily from individuals trapped in vehicles attempting to navigate flooded roads.

Many areas in the Northern Rivers region, notably Lismore—a city that suffered catastrophic flooding last year—are under evacuation orders. The city has seen extreme flood levels in 2022, resulting in a tragic death toll and widespread destruction. Forecasters now express concern that ongoing heavy rains could lead to levees being breached in the region.

In a bid to learn from past responses, Premier Minns has appointed a dedicated official to oversee recovery efforts following the cyclone, aiming to ensure a swift and effective recovery process. The critically scrutinized response to the 2022 floods, which many residents felt was negligent, still looms heavy in public memory as communities seek prompt assistance.