In brief
With one person reported missing and hundreds of thousands without power, eastern Australia is bracing for significant flooding as the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Alfred bring relentless rainfall and high winds.
One person is missing and flooding risks loom over eastern Australia after Tropical Cyclone Alfred weakened but continued to deliver heavy rains and dangerous winds. The cyclone, which passed near Brisbane, left hundreds of thousands of homes without power and raised concerns of major flooding along the coast, especially in New South Wales.Brisbane, Australia’s third-largest city, appeared to have been spared the worst of the storm's impact. However, in the small town of Dorrigo, over 10 inches of rain fell overnight, prompting local officials to launch search efforts for a man whose vehicle was swept away. Despite escaping his car and clinging to a tree, he was ultimately overwhelmed by floodwaters before rescuers could reach him.Chris Minns, the New South Wales premier, urged caution, stating, “This emergency is not over,” as heavy rainfall and extreme wind conditions continue. Emergency services reported that they performed 30 rescues in the last day alone for individuals trapped in vehicles on submerged streets.Many communities remain under evacuation orders, particularly in the Northern Rivers region, with parts of Lismore facing the threat of overflowing levees. The city, which experienced catastrophic flooding in 2022, remains on high alert for repeat disasters.Mr. Minns announced that officials are preparing for rapid recovery efforts in the wake of the cyclone, aiming to avoid the delays and criticisms that plagued past responses. Many residents felt left to fend for themselves during the 2022 floods, and authorities are now keen to demonstrate more effective leadership.The situation in eastern Australia continues to develop as residents under evacuation orders wait for the storm's aftermath to unfold.
