More than 300,000 homes and businesses are without electricity as Tropical Storm Alfred moves closer to Australia’s east coast. The storm is bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the region.
Although Alfred has weakened from a cyclone to a tropical low, officials warn that it is still dangerous. The storm has already knocked down trees and power lines, and some roads are flooded in low-lying areas.
Alfred is expected to reach the coast near Brisbane on Saturday before moving further inland. Authorities have ordered tens of thousands of people to evacuate, while others have been told to stay indoors for safety.
Around four million people in Queensland and northern New South Wales are in the path of Tropical Storm Alfred. Authorities have issued many weather warnings for both areas.
Emergency services are working with power companies after some residents were told they might not have electricity for days. In southeast Queensland, about 287,000 homes and businesses have lost power, according to energy provider Energex. In New South Wales, more than 42,600 customers have also experienced blackouts, said Essential Energy.
On Friday night, people in Brisbane prepared for strong winds and heavy rain. But by Saturday morning, the storm had weakened, and the city avoided the worst of it.
However, other parts of southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales are still at risk. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned that “the worst is yet to come.”
The Gold Coast has already been hit hard, with heavy rain and strong winds. Power lines are down, hundreds of trees have fallen, and there is debris everywhere. Emergency services have blocked off the most dangerous areas to keep people safe.
Emergency services expect flooding to continue for the next few days and have asked people to stay alert.
As the storm moves closer to land, nearly 1,000 schools have shut down, public transport has stopped, and airports are closed. Elective surgeries have also been canceled. Flights may not start again until Sunday.
Many homeless people in Brisbane have taken shelter at Emmanuel City Mission, which is now open 24/7.
Also Read: Cyclone Alfred’s Update: When and Where It Will Make Landfall
On the Gold Coast, strong winds have caused major damage. A large tree fell between two cabins at a holiday park, damaging a third. A boat was also seen sinking in a nearby canal.
The beaches have been badly affected, with many pathways now unusable. Powerful waves have washed away large parts of the sand, leaving steep drops to the ocean.
The cleanup will take time since the strong winds and heavy rain are still ongoing. Some people have started stepping outside to see the damage, but many are staying indoors for safety.
