Flooding rains are expected to persist along the Australian east coast, even though Tropical Cyclone Alfred weakened to a tropical low, officials announced on Saturday. The cyclone failed to make landfall as originally anticipated near the Queensland state capital, Brisbane. Instead, it downgraded to a tropical low with winds below 63 kph (39 mph) before crossing the coast north of Brisbane. The main concern now is the heavy rainfall, which could lead to flash floods and river flooding, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
In the aftermath of the storm, there have been reports of casualties and injuries. A 61-year-old man was confirmed dead after being swept away in a flooded river in New South Wales. Additionally, defense personnel were injured in a collision involving military trucks during emergency response efforts in New South Wales. Further injuries were reported from incidents such as a roof collapse in an apartment building in Gold Coast and a tree falling through a bedroom ceiling during the storm.
Power outages have affected a significant number of homes and businesses, with around 330,000 properties in Queensland and up to 45,000 in New South Wales experiencing blackouts. However, many locations have seen power restored as efforts continue to address the aftermath of the severe weather. Flooding has been reported in both Queensland and New South Wales due to the heavy rainfall, with emergency teams conducting numerous flood rescues in recent days.
Overall, the region continues to face challenges resulting from the severe weather conditions, with authorities working to address the impacts of the ongoing floods and associated damages.
