Ex-cyclone Alfred: Kiwi woman describes frightening, sleepless night, looting fears as wild weather batters Queensland
A Kiwi woman living near Brisbane as Cyclone Alfred lashed parts of coastal eastern Australia has described a scary and sleepless night as gum trees snapped, windows rattled and the “angry” wind sounded like a jumbo jet flying over her house.
Lauren Cantwell told the Herald today that the roof to their pool shed had come off, trees had fallen in their backyard – and she was hearing reports of looting at evacuated homes.
She and partner Matt were lucky to escape harm or serious damage to their home in Victoria Point, a seaside suburb 30km southeast of central Brisbane.
However, her sleep had taken a hit, the former Christchurch woman said.
“It’s been a long night. I think I’ve had about two hours' sleep … the wind started around 10pm and it was loud. You could hear the gum trees snapping in the distance.
“The wind sounded so angry, it sounded like a jumbo jet was going over the roof of our house. It was so frightening.
“The windows were rattling relentlessly, I’m surprised one of them didn’t smash.”
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Australian Defence Force personnel injured after two trucks crash near Lismore
Todd Murray
Multiple Australian army personnel have been injured after two vehicles crashed near Lismore in northern NSW.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is in the region to provide assistance to the community affected by flooding due to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The crash between two army trucks occurred at 5pm today. NSW Ambulance initially said there were 22 patients in total.
Premier Chris Minns said he was “very concerned” about the reports.
Man’s body found as ex-Cyclone turns deadly
Todd Murray
The body of a man who was swept away by floodwaters in northern NSW yesterday has reportedly been located, police say.
Formal identification of the body has not been completed but if the confirmed it will be the first fatality of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The man went missing after his four-wheel drive vehicle was swept off Wild Cattle Creek Bridge near Old Coramba Road northeast of Dorrigo.
He initially escaped the vehicle and clung to a tree before he was swept away shortly after.
A search was launched to find the 61-year-old man, however, police confirmed the body of a man was found nearby about 4.30pm on Saturday.
“While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the missing man,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.
Queensland town hit with 280mm of rain in 24 hours
Todd Murray
Parts of southeast Queensland and northeast NSW were hit with more than 200mm of rain in 24 hours, according to Weatherzone.
In Queensland, Upper Springbrook received 280mm of rain during the 24 hours to 9am AEST, while Carbrook saw 119mm of rain in the three hours ending at 2am AEST on Saturday, news.com.au reported.
Heavy rain is expected to continue over southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales over the weekend.
Todd Murray
Todd Murray
Todd Murray
Todd Murray
'Possible that it will reach the levee and then go over the top'
Todd Murray
Rains pose a threat to engorged rivers across the region, bureau meteorologist Daniel Hayes told AFP, with some rivers approaching major flood levels.
In Lismore - a northern New South Wales city hit by deadly floods in 2022 - the Wilsons River might threaten a 10.6-metre (35-foot) protective levee, he said.
"It is still quite possible that it will reach the levee and then go over the top," he said.
Emergency services warned of a serious impact if that happens.
"We're literally talking about a failure in the levee and a significant rush of water," the state's emergency services chief, Michael Wassing, told reporters.
Evacuation orders have been issued for 16,200 people in New South Wales, emergency services said.
A "staggering" number of more than 239,000 properties in southeast Queensland were without power on Saturday morning after winds toppled power lines or blew trees and debris into them, utility group Energex said.
It was too dangerous for crews to work in some blacked-out areas, Energex Brisbane area manager Chris Graham told national broadcaster ABC.
Another 39,000 homes and businesses were without power in northern New South Wales, regional provider Essential Energy said, warning that floods could hamper repair operations.
- AFP
Man still missing after being swept into raging river
Todd Murray
One man was still missing after his four-wheel drive vehicle was swept off a bridge into a rain-swollen river yesterday in northern New South Wales.
He clambered out of the vehicle and tried in vain to cling to a branch in the river.
"The man was swept from the tree and seen to go beneath the water where he has not been sighted since," police said in a statement.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there were "grave concerns" for the man.
"While it [the cyclone] has been downgraded, very serious risks remain so it is important that people do not take this downgrading as a reason for complacency," Albanese told a news conference.
"Its impact will be serious and will intensify over coming hours and indeed over coming days."
- AFP
Fears of major floods, more than 250,000 homes without power
Todd Murray
Cyclone Alfred weakened into a tropical low on Saturday but still threatened to unleash major floods on swollen rivers as it approached the rain and wind-lashed eastern coast of Australia.
The former tropical cyclone has blacked out more than a quarter of a million homes and businesses while prompting evacuation orders for thousands of people.
Though now deprived of gale-force winds, the tropical storm was slowly moving towards the coast and delivering intense rain before crossing over the mainland.
"Despite its weakening, heavy rainfall is likely to continue over southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales during the weekend," the bureau of meteorology said.
The rains could still lead to "dangerous and life-threatening" flash flooding along the 400-kilometre stretch of coastline straddling the two states, it said.
- AFP
Todd Murray
Todd Murray
Todd Murray
Todd Murray
Photos from Queensland show scale of Alfred's damage
Ebba Strand
Ebba Strand
Lulu Wood, a New Zealander holidaying in Gold Coast, has shared photos of the storm hitting Surfers Paradise.
Australian PM: Storm's impact 'will intensify over coming hours'
Ebba Strand
Albanese also said despite the storm being downgraded, its impact both physically and mentally would be lasting for some.
“Its impact will be serious and will intensify over coming hours and indeed over coming days, it will still bring strong winds, heavy rain, flooding and dangerous conditions across South East Queensland and North East, New South Wales over this weekend and in the days beyond,” he said.
“Some of these communities have copped it time and time again, and that just makes it so tough for people who’ve rebuilt and recovered and who then find another wave of trauma heading their way along with the cyclone."
Albanese rules out election being called on Sunday or Monday
Ebba Strand
Australian PM on activating disaster payments
Ebba Strand
Australian PM Anthony Albanese says the federal government would come to the help of those impacted by the weather system. That included activating disaster payments to those who need them, via the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment.
People are eligible for $1,000 per adult and $400 per child as a one of payment for immediate assistance.
"The Disaster Recovery Allowance is a payment for up to 13 weeks for people who are unable to work as a direct result of the disaster," he said.
"There are also jointly funded payments between the Commonwealth and the states, so they are activated by the states.
"There is a personal hardship assistance scheme — states can choose to activate these payments which cover immediate personal costs like replacing food, medical supplies, clothing, and essential household items like bed linen and whitegoods."
Ebba Strand
Cyclone Alfred is currently 65km north-east of Brisbane and 49km south-east of Maroochydore.
Brisbane mayor: 'Not out of the woods yet'
Ebba Strand
Brisbane mayor says the city has “dodged a bullet” due to the downgrading, and the path of the ex-tropical cylone.
But he said the city wasn't "out of the woods yet".
“What we’re worried about now, and what we must be concerned about, is how much rain comes next, and this is a challenge that Brisbane faces,” Adrian Schrinner said on ABC Radio Brisbane.
“Rainfall [that is] intense over a number of hours can cause flash flooding, and so we’re not out of the woods yet.”
Despite downgrade: Alfred can still cause mayhem
Ebba Strand
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said despite the downgrading of the warning level, the weather system could still cause mayhem.
“We’ve seen some trees fall, and we’ve seen one apartment building quite badly damaged,” he said.
“Obviously power remains a really big issue at the moment with nearly a quarter of a million homes without power.
“The good news overnight is that the risk of storm tide inundation has passed.”
Cyclone Alfred downgraded to a tropical low
Ebba Strand
Cyclone Alfred has been downgraded to a tropical low and is now referred to as "Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred".
Cyclone Alfred approaches mainland
Ebba Strand
Cyclone Alfred is currently 65km north-east of Brisbane and 45km south-east of Maroochydore, moving at 8km/h towards the mainland coast.
'Risk to life': Brisbane residents warned of what to come
Ebba Strand
Although the speed at which the cyclone is travelling has slowed, Brisbane locals have been sent a stark warning of what might be to come.
A new alert sent by Brisbane City Council has warned of the winds and how dangerous they could be.
“You will hear things breaking outside and hitting your house,” the alert read.
The alert also warned of how dangerous it could be outside, including around trees, powerlines and other objects which could be thrown through the air.
"This is a risk to life.”
Risk of flash flooding
Ebba Strand
Rosa Hoff from the Bureau of Meteorology has told the ABC about the weather system having the potential to cause flash flooding.
"The rain will not go anywhere in a hurry, so again it will keep raining into the weekend, even if we see the centre of the system cross as forecast in the late morning period," she says.
"So we're talking days of that rainfall and that spreading further inland as well."
Update from NSW State Emergency
Ebba Strand
Around 40,000 in northern NSW are without power, according to an update by officials from the NSW State Emergency.
They have responded to 1500 call outs since Friday night.
'Stupidity': Several people rescued from Gold Coast beaches
Ebba Strand
Despite the threat of $16,000 fines, some people are still accessing closed beaches on the Gold Coast. Several people have had to be rescued from areas recording 10-metre swells, despite the beaches being closed.
"[It's] just stupidity, people are trying to get on the beach -trying a cheap thrill... they're putting themselves in danger,” President of Mermaid Beach Surf Life Saving Club Paul Mann told the ABC.
“Some people got dragged out today - first responders had to go and save them - like you're putting other people's lives at risk. Why?"
'Prepare to evacuate'
Ebba Strand
The New South Wales State Emergency Service (NSW SES) advises people to prepare to evacuate due to major flooding in some parts of NSW.
Warning: Shelter now
Ebba Strand
The New South Wales State Emergency Service (NSW SES) advises people to shelter now.
Warning: Stay indoors
Ebba Strand
The New South Wales State Emergency Service (NSW SES) advises people to stay indoors, unless they have been directed to evacuate due to expected flooding.
More than 250,000 people without power
Ebba Strand
On the Gold Coast, beaches have been closed by officials. People who breach the closure face fines of up to $16,000.
Power outages are currently impacting more than 250,000 people. Energy providers have warned that the number is likely to grow considerably once the cyclone fully crosses mainland coastal areas.
Weather forecasters in Australia say the cyclone is moving at about 10kph. It is generating average winds of 75kph with gusts topping 100kph.
Flood warnings to residents in northern New South Wales show how dangerous Cyclone Alfred could turn out to be. The alerts sent this morning said: "Seek shelter in a sturdy raised structure that can be safely accessed."
"You may now be trapped without power, water, and other essential services and it may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you."
Strong winds, heavy rain lashing as Brisbane locals told to stay away from windows
Ebba Strand
Strong winds, sea surges on coastal areas and heavy rain are lashing parts of Australia’s eastern coastline this morning as Tropical Cyclone Alfred makes its impact.
Areas currently being impacted are northern parts of New South Wales, then up the Queensland coast including the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Moreton Bay.
"Go to the strongest, safest part of the building you are in. This will be away from big windows," Brisbane locals have been told by city officials.
"It could be a bathroom, walk-in wardrobe, or hallway. Stay there."
Ebba Strand
Ebba Strand
STORY CONTINUES
The cyclone was downgraded this morning to a tropical low as it approached land.
But while the risk of storm tide inundation had passed, officials warned the danger remained because of high winds and heavy rain.
“Its impact will be serious”, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
“[It] will intensify over coming hours and indeed over coming days, it will still bring strong winds, heavy rain, flooding and dangerous conditions across southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales over this weekend and in the days beyond.”
The rain was still “hammering down”, so neither Cantwell nor her partner had been able to have a proper look outside, she said.
“We’re still due to get 800mm of rain over the next 24 to 48 hours.”
They could see they’d lost the roof of their pool shed, and the pump for their pool had split.
“A couple of trees are down in our backyard – no palm trees thank goodness … we are lucky to come out of this unscathed but I can’t say the same for the rest of our neighbours in the bay.
“We have a lot of friends who live out in the islands in the bay and Victoria Point is much like Christchurch, we all know each other so I know when this rain eases up there will be a lot of helping hands ready.”
They were able to remain at home, but other friends in Victoria Point had been asked to leave because they were in a flood zone.
“People that have left and then come back, they are coming back to looters and their homes being broken into, which is so disappointing.”
There do not appear to have been any media reports of looting at this stage.
She’d lived in Queensland for 14 years and had never experienced weather like that brought by the former cyclone, Cantwell said.
“Yes we get summer storms – and we are prepared for that – but nothing like this.”
Cruise nightmare: ‘It’s awful, we want to get off’
Other Kiwis have also been impacted by the former cyclone, including Linzee McCutcheon and her family, who are trapped on their cruise ship.
The family of six left Brisbane on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas on Friday last week and were due to disembark yesterday.
“But due to Cyclone Alfred we are stuck at sea and the earliest we’ll be able to disembark is hopefully Monday”, McCutcheon wrote in an email to the Herald.
“We are stuck on this ship and food is running out. It’s awful, we want to get off and get back home but have no choice but to ride this storm out.”
The situation had forced them to rebook flights from Brisbane to Auckland, costing the family another $4500, she wrote.
It wasn’t the first glitch for 5400-passenger-capacity Quantum of the Seas on its seven-night South Pacific cruise, with four passengers – two of them Kiwis – taken off the ship due to illness within 24 hours from Wednesday, according to the Maritime Bell website.
The medical emergencies weren’t related, the website reported.
Wind rattles building, but not pensioner
Meanwhile, a Kiwi pensioner trapped on the Gold Coast as the former cyclone made its presence felt overnight described the experience as “noisy”, with her “rattling” hotel keeping her awake, and fears of power cuts ever-present.
But while many people at her hotel in Palm Beach, 15km south of Surfers Paradise, were scared ahead of the category 2 cyclone’s arrival, she wasn’t too worried – although she did sleep with the TV on all night for comfort, Jill Keats said.
“I can’t say it’s been terrifying. I lived through the Wahine storm [Cyclone Giselle] and the earthquakes … after living through the quakes this is a walk in the park”, the Christchurch woman said.
“People here know it’s coming, and have some idea of [its trajectory]. With the quakes, they just come out of nowhere. I’d rather have this than an earthquake any day.”
Keats – who was inadvertently also among those first on the scene after the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings, helping save wounded worshippers – was this morning safe on the second floor of the three-storey Palm Beach Hotel.
Residents had earlier been moved from the top floor because the roof was starting to sag from the wind and rain, she said.
“The receptionist has been wonderful. She’s stayed here with us. We’ve got a vending machine and can make tea and coffee, but I’m dying for some toast with tomatoes.
“The supermarkets closed yesterday, but there was nothing left anyway. Not a stick of bread or a piece of fruit.”
The 72-year-old, stranded after her Jetstar flight home booked for Thursday was cancelled, had instead bought soup and frozen meals and had one meal left, she said.
“But it doesn’t look very appetising.”
Her planned three-day visit was to support a family member facing a health challenge, but with no travel insurance, she’d needed family help to pay for extra accommodation and food costs until her rebooked flight on Monday.
This morning it was still “windy and rainy”, and she feared they could lose power as others within a block had.
“Every so often we get a wind gust that rattles the building, and you think, ‘Is this when we lose our power?’”
Keats has been a regular visitor to the Gold Coast for more than 25 years and had “never seen [weather] like this before”.
She had a view of the beach from her room and had watched sightseers risking their lives.
“Some of them are families taking their kids. Bloody idiots.”
On the Gold Coast, several people have been rescued from the beaches despite them being closed by officials, AFP reported.
“[It’s] just stupidity, people are trying to get on the beach – trying a cheap thrill ... they’re putting themselves in danger,” Mermaid Beach Surf Life Saving Club president Paul Mann told the ABC.
No deaths have been reported but one man was missing after his four-wheel-drive vehicle was swept from a bridge into fast-running river water south of the cyclone, police said.
Four million people are in the cyclone’s firing line along a 400km stretch of coastline straddling the state border of Queensland and New South Wales.
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