A powerful tropical storm has left more than 300,000 properties in darkness as it moves closer to Australia’s east coast, bringing heavy rain and fierce winds.
Although the storm, named Alfred, has weakened from a cyclone to a tropical low, authorities are warning that the danger is far from over. The storm is expected to make landfall near Brisbane before pushing further inland.
The impact is already being felt. Trees have been torn down, power lines are damaged, and roads in low-lying areas are flooded. Around 287,000 homes and businesses in southeast Queensland have lost electricity, according to energy provider Energex, while Essential Energy reports more than 42,600 outages in New South Wales. Emergency services are working alongside energy companies to restore power, but some residents may be without electricity for several days.
Millions of people across Queensland and northern New South Wales remain in the storm’s path. Dozens of weather warnings are in effect, and tens of thousands of residents have been told to evacuate. Others have been urged to stay indoors until conditions improve.
In Brisbane, many people had gone to bed expecting severe weather but woke up to news that the cyclone had been downgraded. While the city has avoided the worst, other areas in southeastern Queensland and northern New South Wales continue to face dangerous conditions. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has warned that “the worst is yet to come,” and along the Gold Coast, the storm is still causing destruction.
Heavy rain and strong winds have battered the region for days. Trees have fallen in parks, gardens, and along major roads. Power lines are down, debris is scattered across communities, and emergency crews have cordoned off the most at-risk areas. The storm has already damaged holiday apartments on the Gold Coast, while storm surges have washed away sections of beachfront paths, leaving sheer drops where sand once was.
Authorities are urging people not to let their guard down. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns stressed that the emergency is ongoing, and warned against dismissing the storm just because it has been downgraded. Stuart Fisher, the state’s emergency service operations commander, said flooding is expected to continue in the coming days.
The storm’s approach has caused widespread disruption. Nearly 1,000 schools have closed, public transport has been suspended, and airports have shut down. Elective surgeries have also been cancelled. Flights are unlikely to resume before Sunday.
In Brisbane, shelters like Emmanuel City Mission have opened their doors to provide round-the-clock refuge for those in need. Elsewhere, residents are beginning to assess the damage, but with strong winds and driving rain still ongoing, cleanup efforts will have to wait. Many people are choosing to stay indoors, knowing that the storm’s impact is not over yet.