Authorities in Australia have confirmed the discovery of a body in floodwaters and reported 13 military personnel injured following a vehicle crash as tropical storm Alfred wreaks havoc across the eastern coast. The storm, which made landfall near Brisbane on Saturday evening, was downgraded to a tropical low but continued to pose significant threats.
Officials have issued stern warnings, urging residents to remain indoors and exercise caution, as the storm’s dangers are far from over. Winds have downed trees and power lines, and heavy rainfall has led to widespread flooding, with low-lying roads submerged. Over 300,000 properties across the region have lost power.
In a tragic turn of events, police confirmed on Saturday that a body discovered in northern New South Wales is believed to be that of a 61-year-old man who went missing after his car was trapped in floodwaters on Friday in Dorrigo. Emergency responders had witnessed the man escaping from his car and clinging to a tree near the riverbank, but were unable to reach him before he was swept away by the current.
In a separate incident, 13 Australian Defence Force personnel were injured in a convoy crash near Lismore, about 200 kilometers south of Brisbane. The accident occurred when one truck overturned on a narrow road and another collided with it. While 36 individuals were involved, only 13 required medical attention. The personnel had been part of a rescue operation in the region.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed support for the injured military workers, stating that they were en route to assist Australians in need. Some of the personnel were seriously injured, he noted. Albanese also emphasized the importance of vigilance as millions across Queensland and northern New South Wales brace for the ongoing storm.
The storm's impact has left nearly 4 million people in Queensland and northern New South Wales facing severe weather conditions, with dozens of weather warnings in effect. Power outages have affected approximately 287,000 customers in southeast Queensland, while more than 42,000 homes and businesses in New South Wales have been impacted.
In Brisbane, the city’s residents went to bed on Friday fearing the worst, but upon waking, they learned that the cyclone had been downgraded, sparing the city from the most extreme conditions. However, the threat persists in other areas, particularly along the Gold Coast, which has been battered by relentless winds and rain. Many trees have been uprooted, and debris has scattered across gardens, parks, and roads, prompting emergency services to cordon off high-risk zones.
State officials, including New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and emergency services commander Stuart Fisher, stressed the importance of remaining alert. Fisher warned that flooding would continue for several days and urged the public not to become complacent.
As the storm continues to make its way across the region, nearly 1,000 schools have closed, and public transportation has been suspended. Airports remain shut, and elective surgeries have been postponed. Flights are not expected to resume until at least Sunday.
The storm's aftermath has left numerous areas in disarray. At the Treasure Island Holiday Park on the Gold Coast, a large gum tree fell between two cabins, causing significant damage. Nearby, a boat was partially submerged in a canal, and access to the beach has been blocked as powerful waves have eroded the sand.
The clean-up effort is expected to be delayed, as strong winds and heavy rain continue to make conditions dangerous. While some residents are starting to assess the damage, many remain indoors to ensure their safety. The full extent of Cyclone Alfred’s destruction will become clearer in the coming days as the storm’s effects continue to unfold.
Source; theghanareport
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