By: Mike Crooks
Alfred may be gone, but the effects of the ex-tropical cyclone are still being felt in south-east Queensland and northern NSW.
Flooding in the wake of the tropical low is still widespread, and on Monday evening, thousands of homes and businesses were still without power.
Schools remain closed and beaches from Noosa to the Gold Coast have suffered extensive damage.
And one financial expert estimated that the ongoing effects of Alfred are costing the Queensland economy $1billion per day.
“‘The flood risk across south-east Queensland is still present so please know your local risk, listen to emergency services, have a plan,” Jenny McAllister, the Federal Minister for Emergency Management, said on Monday.
Brisbane inundated
In Brisbane, 100mm of rain was dumped on the city in two hours on Sunday morning.
The record downpour – the equivalent of a month’s worth of rain in December – caused flash flooding in many suburbs.
More than 100 roads were closed.
Some were left stranded in their cars when they attempted to drive through flooded roads.
One financial expert estimated that the ongoing effects of Alfred are costing the Queensland economy $1billion per day.
For many, the flooding was worse than the devastating eastern Australia floods of 2022. In Tingalpa, in Brisbane’s east, the flood “was certainly higher than 2022 by 200 millimetres,” resident Trevor Richards told the Brisbane Times.
Mr Richards said that 800mm of water flooded his downstairs area of his two-storey home.
“No one thought the flood would have been anywhere like it was in 2022, so you know, a lot of people got caught out this time,” he said.
Power out
As of late Monday evening, there were still nearly 200,000 homes without electricity.
At one stage, 300,000 homes had no power across south-east Queensland and northern NSW.
For current power outages visit Energex.
Other areas of the south-east remain under threat of flooding.
The Lockyer Valley Council sounded the flood warning sirens in Grantham at 1PM on Monday, and residents were urged to move to higher ground immediately.
“Do not wait for further direction to relocate – this is an emergency warning,” the warning read.
The council provided options as safe places to shelter, including the Grantham Butter Factory and Gatton Shire Hall.
As of late Monday evening, there were still nearly 200,000 homes without electricity.
In Ipswich, flooding was expected on Monday night, and the council issued a “Prepare to Leave” warning.
“Decide where you and the people you live will go,” the statement said.
“Find a safe place away from flooding. This could be with family or a friend.”
At midnight, Ipswich’s Bremer River peaked at 11.7m – just below the major flood level.
Rainfall is now easing, but areas remain on flood watch.
Visit here for current warnings (as of Tuesday morning).
School closures
As of Monday afternoon, the Queensland government was reporting that nearly 600 schools remain closed.
They include state, independent and Catholic schools.
Premier David Crisafulli said schools would open “wherever possible, wherever it’s safe to do so”.
NAPLAN tests will be postponed for south-east Queensland students until March 17.
For current school closures, visit here.
Hardship payments
Both the federal and Queensland governments have announced that special “hardship” payments will be available to those directly impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The grant is $180 per person, or $900 for a family of five or more. It is not income or asset tested.
The Personal Hardship Assistance grants include a range of payments “to assist with the purchase of emergency essentials, the replacement of damaged household items, and income-tested assistance for property structural repairs and the reconnection of essential services,” read a statement.
The assistance “will support impacted communities as they begin the recovery process,” minister McAllister said.
Special “hardship” payments will be available to those directly impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
“If you need help covering the cost of emergency essentials like food and medicines, or replacing lost essential household contents like white goods, this assistance will provide you with financial support to get back on your feet.
“As more impact data from this event becomes available, we will continue activating appropriate assistance for impacted communities.”
Residents can check their eligibility and apply for the grant here, or by phoning the 24/7 Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.
Recovery
On Monday, Premier Crisafulli reiterated that there would be “no daylight between response and recovery” for the communities impacted by Alfred.
“Disaster impacts vary from community to community, but our commitment to helping every Queenslander through recovery remains the same,” he said.
Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy said that the hardship grants will pave the way for Queenslanders to get back on their feet.
“As further impacts are identified, we will seek to extend personal hardship assistance to additional localities and continue working closely with all affected south-east Queensland communities until the job is done,” the minister said.
For current weather warnings visit here.
Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.
Feature image: Coastal erosion at Ocean Shores caused by Cyclone Alfred. Photo by Alice Woods, Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication
About the author: Michael Crooks is a senior journalist and former news editor of Who magazine. His work has appeared in People, Marie Claire, The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, news.com.au, Qantas magazine and more.
About the Author: Beth Rivers is a digital manager and writer from Sydney, Australia.