THOUSANDS of Irish citizens residing in Australia are warned to stay clear as Cyclone Alfred threatens to unleash floods across the east coast.
Strong gusts and torrential rain have blacked out more than a quarter of a million properties and swamped parts of the eastern coast.
So far, there has been one reported death and a dozen troops have been injured by the cyclone.
Despite the cyclone being reduced to a tropical depression before making landfall yesterday evening, it has battered the shoreline with strong gusts that have destroyed buildings, uprooted trees and brought down power lines.
According to government forecasters, it was still producing a lot of rain this morning, which caused rivers to surge in some regions of a 400km length of coastline that straddled northeast New South Wales and southeast Queensland.
Utility companies revealed that nearly 300,000 properties in southeast Queensland and another 42,600 in New South Wales were without power, warning that floods could delay repairs.
And thousands of homes have been flooded, forcing emergency services to rescue those trapped in rapid waters.
Emergency services said that evacuation orders have been issued for 16,200 people in New South Wales, where 30 flood rescues have been carried out over the past 24 hours.
David Crisafulli, Queensland Premier, said: “That’s the largest ever loss of power from a natural disaster in Queensland’s history.”
He estimated that about 750,000 people had been affected since the blackouts began, which were caused by strong gusts and floods.
Queensland’s Essential Energy stated that “customers need to be prepared to be without power for several days” as repairs will be severe and will take some time.
Despite the weather system revealing the cyclone has “stalled and began weakening”, the Bureau of Meteorology for the Australian Government warned that intense rain and damaging wind gusts were a risk throughout the weekend.
In a statement issued by the bureau, it said: “Rivers are already starting to respond to the heavy rainfall, with many Minor to Major Flood Warnings current.”
TRAGIC DEATH AND INJURIES
A 61-year-old man’s body was discovered today after his truck was swept off a bridge into a river in northern New South Wales.
The police believe that he had clambered out of the truck and tried to cling to a tree branch in the river before tragically disappearing into the rapid waters yesterday.
36 people were injured in a collision involving two Australian Defence Force trucks that were sent to assist the community near the flood-prone city of Lismore in New South Wales.
According to government officials and emergency services, some of the injuries were serious and were taken to four hospitals.
A woman sustained minor injuries when an apartment building lost its roof in the Queensland border city of Gold Coast on Friday, resulting in the evacuation of 21 people.
Officials stated that a couple also sustained minor injuries when a tree crashed through the ceiling of their Gold Coast bedroom during the strong winds and rain event on Thursday night.
‘SERIOUS RISKS REMAIN’
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned people not to underestimate the risks and to follow the advice of government officials.
Talking to the news conference, he said: “While it has been downgraded, very serious risks remain so it is important that people do not take this downgrading as a reason for complacency.
“Its impact will be serious and will intensify over coming hours and indeed over coming days.”
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns added: “It’s not over for the following reasons: The rivers are full. The rain is continuing.”
However, forecasts warned that the Wilsons River will no longer overflow a 10.6-meter levee that protected residents of Lismore, a city in northern New South Wales devastated by fatal floods in 2022.
ASSISTANCE FOR THE IRISH
During the crisis, the Irish Australian Support Association of Queensland has offered assistance to any Irish expats or holidaymakers who need it.
The association have closed their office during the disruptive weather event.
In a social media alert to Irish people in the area they said: “Due to Cyclone Alfred, the IASAQ Office will be closed until further notice.
“However, our team will still be working remotely and available to assist anyone in need “
“If you require support, please don’t hesitate to reach out: info@iasaq.com.au, 0432 087 328.”
There are an estimated 7,600 Irish people living in the Greater Brisbane area, as of the 2021 Census carried out by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
This figure is now expected to be higher due to an influx of emigration as more than 10,600 moved to Australia last year.
