Residents along the southeastern coast of Australia are slowly returning to their routines following the aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which came ashore on March 8, 2025, with strong winds and heavy rain, leading to extensive damage, flooding, and power outages.
The tropical system made landfall near Brisbane and was quickly downgraded from tropical cyclone to tropical low, as it moved across the region, creating hazardous conditions.
According to reports, residents can breathe a sigh of relief as they begin to assess the scale of the damage. Marco Lombard, who lives near Scarborough beach north of Brisbane, had initially prepped for the worst by boarding up windows and sandbagging his home, yet soon found solace enjoying the surf with his family.
“We had quite heavy winds from around 11 p.m. until about 3 a.m., but otherwise, less bad than we expected. Our garden’s fine, nothing too serious,” Lombard said after the storm passed.
While Lombard and others took advantage of the clear weather post-storm, it wasn’t all sunshine. The storm resulted in widespread power outages, affecting over 330,000 residents, marking it as the largest blackout the state has experienced. Energy provider Energex reported approximately 295,800 of these outages were across southeastern Queensland alone, with more than 43,000 homes lacking electricity in Northern Rivers and surrounding regions.
Disaster response agencies remain on high alert as the remnants of Alfred linger off the coast. Reports released suggest flooding remains the primary concern. The Bureau of Meteorology expects rainfall totals to reach between 300 to 700mm across several areas through the next days, prompting fears of flash flooding and riverine inundations.
“The real threat now is from locally heavy-to-intense rainfall,” warned Bureau manager Matt Collopy. “We could easily see rainfall totals of 200 to 300mm over the next few days.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced government support measures, which include immediate aid payments to those affected. A one-off cash payment of $1,000 for adults and $400 for children is part of the Disaster Recovery Payment scheme, aimed at helping residents regain stability.
“Right now, we must continue to look after each other. The impacts are already being felt, and there is worse to come,” Albanese stressed, acknowledging the emotional toll on communities already healing from prior weather calamities.
Official reports indicated the confirmed fatality of one man, aged 61, whose car became caught in floodwaters from the Dorrigo region, illustrating the dangers still posed by the storm. Rescuers witnessed him escaping his vehicle but could not reach him before he was swept away.
Adding to emergency incidents, thirteen military personnel were reportedly injured when two trucks collided near Tregeagle, NSW, as part of the emergency response efforts. Federal Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh reported on the situation, emphasizing their commitment to serving the community during distressing times.
The Australian Defence Force has mobilized hundreds of support personnel and high-clearance vehicles to aid recovery efforts. Reports state over 1,500 personnel have been deployed to assist local emergency services, with another 450 on standby.
A comprehensive emergency services response has been activated, with SES volunteers addressing thousands of calls related to structural damage and safety concerns as communities brace for potential flooding. Authorities urged all residents to avoid flooded roads and to stay home as much as possible.
Despite the cyclone being downgraded, warnings remain serious. New South Wales State Premier Chris Minns made clear the situation continues to demand vigilance. “This emergency is not over,” he stated, stressing the need for caution among residents.
Local residents, still grappling with the storm’s aftermath, are advised to heed flood warnings and prepare for possible evacuations. For various regions, roads may become impassable with rising waters forecasted.
While some parts experience respite, the storm’s effect on infrastructure remains significant. Flood alerts are expected to lead to additional evictions across northern New South Wales, with over 20,000 individuals already under evacuation orders.
Heavy rainfall is likely to stress many catchments, increasing risks of levee breaches and flash flooding incidents. Levees are being closely monitored, especially at South Lismore, where concerns were high following previous flood events.
The events of Saturday reflect not only immediate impacts but raise questions about future preparedness. More than 300,000 sandbags have been distributed to help prepare communities, but the long road to recovery has begun as local services strive to restore power, reopen schools, and resume public transport.
“Recovery efforts are well underway, but we must remain vigilant,” said Queensland Premier David Crisafulli during press conferences addressing the situation's seriousness. “Queenslanders have weathered many storms, but the risks from flooding remain.”
Residents collectively hope for the storm's quick resolution, wishing to preserve their homes and community. The gradual return to normalcy may take time as almost 1,000 schools have closed, and airports have suspended operations amid threats from unpredictable weather patterns.
Alfred's advent serves as both a reminder of the power of nature and the resilience of communities. With fears of sustained weather impacts looming, locals brace themselves for continued rain and the challenges it brings.
Until the skies clear, residents are encouraged to stay informed and remain cautious as the clean-up and recovery phases evolve.