Ex-tropical cyclone Alfred: Latest emergency warning as flooding threat rises in Queensland, NSW

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has warned the extreme weather event impacting eastern Australia is “far from over” and urged the public not to be complacent in the aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Residents across South East Queensland have been told to move to higher ground as floodwaters begin to rise, while about 1800 residents remain isolated in New South Wales, as heavy rains continue to batter the region, with some totals exceeding 400mm.

There were 35 swift water rescues across Queensland overnight, as severe weather warnings remained.

Speaking in Lismore, one of the worst impacted areas, Mr Albanese offered more details about disaster payment relief for those who have lost their income or suffered property damage.

“From 2pm on Tuesday, eligible workers and sole traders in South East Queensland and New South Wales who’ve lost income as a direct result of ex tropical cyclone Alfred will be able to access up to 13 weeks of income support, “ he said.

Mr Albanese urged insurance companies to “do the right thing” in the aftermath of the flooding.

“They have a social license, and people expect them to make payments in a speedy and effective way when they are due,” he said.

“This is a time where insurance companies can restore some of their reputation with the public by acting speedily, and we expect them to do so.”

The Government would be “give consideration” to further measures if insurance companies did not step up, cautioned the Prime Minister. He also praised the “extraordinary work” of the ADF, the emergency services, public servants and community in responding to the disaster.

The announcement came as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton revealed he’d been trapped at home by floodwaters.

Mr Dutton says there had been a “hell of a lot of rain over night” in his electorate of Dickson.

“Hopefully it recedes quickly but at the moment a few of us are trapped at home including ourselves,” he said.

“Fortunately our house is fine, but the water’s up over our front gate so that’s the reality at the moment and the emergency service workers, the council workers are doing an amazing job but a lot of families, a lot of businesses who are really heavily impacted again this morning.”

The Queensland government continues to issue alerts are more than 230,000 properties are without power, with Premier David Cisafulli saying crews are working tirelessly to reconnect homes.

“They are putting everything to try and reconnect people, and it’s very difficult to get back on your feet without power,” he said.

Warnings span across South East Queensland regions including Brisbane, Logan, Gold Coast and Ipswich as multiple swollen rivers and creeks break their banks, rising towards homes.

As a vast region is inundated by a continuous downpour, residents have been told to move to higher ground away from the water or get ready to leave immediately if the threat worsens.

Major flooding is occurring on the Bremer and Albert Rivers and the Warrell and Laidley Creeks in Queensland while NSW’s Richmond and Clarence Rivers are also breaking their banks.

Almost 500 South East Queensland schools remain closed, but flights out of the State are now resuming, making a significant step in the road towards normalcy.

In northern NSW, some 1800 people have been isolated by the deluge and other 18,500 have been told they could be isolated.

Over the weekend, some residents were allowed to return to their homes in places such as Lismore as conditions eased but authorities are keenly watching further rainfall.

“We’re not out of the woods just yet,” NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Sean Kearns said on Monday.

An 18-year-old man who went missing last night in Logan Reserve, Queensland, has been found safe and well after running into floodwaters in Logan Reserve.

Caleb was last seen around 11pm on Sunday near Burdekin Rd, wearing camouflage shorts, no shirt, and no shoes.

Authorities raised the alarm after he disappeared into the rising floodwaters, triggering an urgent search operation by emergency services and local police.

Police confirmed that he was found safe in a nursery during the search and rescue operation. He was transported to the hospital in good condition for precautionary checks.

The flood disaster turned deadly when the body of a 61-year-old man was found after his ute was swept into floodwaters at Megan, near Dorrigo, NSW, on Friday.

Meanwhile, 13 soldiers were injured after two Australian Defence Force trucks rolled near Lismore on Saturday, while they were trying to avoid colliding with each other.

Thirteen out of 32 soldiers were injured, with some suffering spinal injuries. One remains in a stable condition in hospital

The soldiers are from the 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment and the 7th Combat Service Support Battalion, of the 7th Brigade, based at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane.

They had been in Lismore, which is about nine kilometres from Tregeagle, to assist the SES with tree removals in the wake of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.