Storm Alfred latest: Fresh evacuation orders issued as former tropical cyclone hits Australian coast

Former cyclone Alfred has made landfall on the Australia’s coast, inflicting important harm and flooding, Australian climate authorities have confirmed.

“Because the system continues over land it’s going to carry a considerable amount of rain throughout the south-east and elements of southern inland Queensland, within the subsequent 2-3 days,” Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology says.

UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has spoken along with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese.

In talks which largely centred round defence, Sir Keir additionally supplied his sympathy relating to the impression of Cyclone Alfred.

Mr Albanese wrote on X: “Thanks in your sympathy for the impression of Cyclone Alfred.”

A Downing Road spokesperson mentioned Sir Keir had expressed his “help for all Australians effected by the Cyclone and paid tribute to the energy of the partnership between the 2 nations”.

Contemporary evacuation orders have been issued in elements of New South Wales because of flooding, with authorities warning residents to evacuate now earlier than rescue efforts turn out to be not possible.

“You need to evacuate now as a result of evacuation routes could also be reduce,” regional authorities say within the alert.

“You must evacuate to stick with household, buddies, or alternate lodging in areas unaffected by flooding,” it added.

“If you happen to stay within the space, you might turn out to be trapped with out energy, water, and different important providers. It might be too harmful for NSW SES to rescue you, and buildings might not be capable to stand up to the impression of flood water.”

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred has weakened right into a tropical low however continues to carry heavy rainfall, sturdy winds, and the danger of life-threatening flash flooding throughout southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales. Though the system has stalled off the coast, it’s anticipated to step by step transfer inland over the approaching days.

A tropical low is a weaker low-pressure system that types over heat tropical waters and may both intensify right into a cyclone or dissipate relying on situations. In contrast to totally developed cyclones, tropical lows lack an outlined eye and robust wind circulation however can nonetheless carry torrential rain, gusty winds, and flooding.

Regardless that Alfred has weakened, saturated catchments and ongoing heavy rainfall imply flooding dangers stay excessive. Authorities are urging residents to remain alert as rivers proceed to rise and flash flooding stays a serious concern.

Ex-cyclone Alfred continues to stall off the southeast Queensland coast, based on Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), with rainfall and flood dangers remaining.

Heavy rain is converging alongside the coast, with 50-60mm already recorded since this morning and totals anticipated to succeed in 200-300mm in some areas, BoM Stated. The Gold Coast, Scenic Rim, and Brisbane are more likely to see the heaviest rain later as we speak, persevering with into the night. BoM warns this can gas harmful flash flooding and main river rises, with flood peaks now anticipated in a single day into Sunday morning.

Alfred is predicted to float inland over the subsequent few days, however its sluggish motion means extended excessive climate. Rainfall is predicted to ease early subsequent week, however main flooding stays a major menace. Authorities urge residents to remain up to date and observe emergency warnings.

A 23-year-old man has been charged after allegedly threatening State Emergency Service (SES) staff and neighborhood members at a sandbag station in northern NSW.

Police mentioned the incident occurred at Corindi Seashore round 2.30pm on Friday, when the person took sandbags and drove away. He allegedly returned an hour later, took extra sandbags from the general public, after which threatened an SES employee with a shovel earlier than turning on different emergency staff and locals.

Officers arrested the person and seized a knife, a machete, and the shovel from his car. He was taken to Coffs Harbour police station and charged with intimidation and possessing a knife in a public place.

He was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Bail Court docket on Saturday, the place he was hit with a further cost of intimidating a frontline emergency employee.

Buses will resume operations throughout Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, and Toowoomba from tomorrow, with regular or partial providers in some areas, Queensland premier David Crisafulli mentioned.

Nonetheless, prepare providers will stay suspended as authorities assess harm to tracks, significantly on the Gold Coast line.

“There’s quite a lot of evaluation work to be executed,” Mr Crisafulli mentioned, including that updates on rail providers might be offered tomorrow.

All emergency alerts in Queensland have now been cancelled apart from one, and no lack of life or lacking particular person has been reported within the state, officers say.The one current warning urges Killarney residents to preserve water because of provide points.

A physique has been discovered in the course of the seek for a 61-year-old man who was swept away in floodwaters close to Dorrigo, northern NSW.

The person was misplaced after his ute was washed off a bridge into fast-moving water on Friday afternoon. He managed to climb right into a tree about 30 metres from the riverbank, however emergency providers have been unable to succeed in him earlier than he was carried away by the present.

NSW Police confirmed {that a} physique was found close by at 4.30pm on Saturday. Whereas formal identification is but to happen, authorities imagine it’s the lacking man. A report might be ready for the coroner.