The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has declared an Insurance Catastrophe for the southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales regions impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred and subsequent storms since Friday, February 28, 2025. The storm, which weakened before making landfall on March 8, has left widespread power outages, heavy rain, flooding, and falling debris affecting areas like the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Hervey Bay, and the Northern Rivers.
"Insurers’ top priority is community safety. If you’re affected by ex-TC Alfred, stay clear of fallen powerlines and floodwaters, and avoid any activities...," stated Andrew Hall, CEO of the ICA. Since the declaration on March 9, insurers have received nearly 3,000 claims, with expectations for significantly more as residents return to their homes and assess the damage.
The ICA’s Catastrophe declaration is instrumental as it escalates and prioritizes the insurance industry's response for affected policyholders. According to the ICA, claims from impacted individuals will be processed with urgency, and insurers will mobilize disaster response specialists to assist customers as soon as it's safe. The declaration ensures not just rapid attention to claims but also support through local agencies and services.
Meanwhile, NAB announced plans to reopen all branches by March 10, pending assessments of road closures and weather conditions. The bank is offering $1,000 disaster relief grants for customers directly affected by the cyclone and associated flooding. This move is part of NAB’s broader effort to assist its clients during these challenging times.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been actively involved on the ground, visiting troops at Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane, where Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel were stationed to assist with flood relief efforts. This engagement was highlighted following the tragic vehicle rollover incident involving ADF personnel on March 8. The vehicles were en route to support the NSW State Emergency Service when they lost control, resulting in injuries to 32 soldiers, with two reported as serious.
"Firstly I want to speak about the ADF personnel... there are still 12 soldiers in Lismore Hospital, two in serious condition..." remarked NSW Premier Chris Minns during his address, emphasizing the scale of the emergency response required.
Reports indicate widespread rainfall continues, with meteorologists warning of potential rapid flooding due to catchment saturation. 7NEWS meteorologist Tony Auden indicated Sunday night would bring more torrential rain, raising concerns about possible totals between 300-500mm over the next 24 hours, particularly for southeastern Queensland and northern New South Wales.
The Bureau of Meteorology also confirmed significant impacts on local infrastructure, with over 330,000 homes and businesses without power as of March 9. This disruption poses serious risks, as restoring power could take more than a week, particularly with substantial debris needing removal first.
Emergency services have been inundated, responding to over 917 incidents as of 10 am on March 9. “Please adhere to the warnings,” stated NSW State Emergency Service Deputy Commissioner Damien Johnston, nervous due to numerous incidents involving residents driving through floodwaters, signaling the need for continued public vigilance.
The situation around Lismore has seen fluctuated warning levels, with the evacuation notice being lifted for the CBD but authorities advising residents to return home with caution. The impact of the cyclone has been devastating, as highlighted by tragic incidents, including the death of a 61-year-old man swept off a bridge by rapidly flowing floodwaters.
Emergency alerts remain active across several areas, including Hervey Bay and parts of the Fraser Coast, urging residents to seek shelter and avoid flood-prone regions. Premier David Crisafulli warned of persisting challenges due to localized flooding, stressing the need for community readiness and adherence to emergency authority directives as rainfall levels and wind speeds remain dangerously high.
This is likely to be just the beginning as impacted communities begin the slow process of recovery and assessment of the damages left behind by Tropical Cyclone Alfred. With the government initiating disaster recovery payments for affected residents, may we hope to see swift action and support as families and individuals begin the arduous task of restoration.