Sat Mar 08 06:53:55 UTC 2025: ## Ex-Cyclone Alfred Pummels Australia’s East Coast, Leaving Hundreds of Thousands Without Power
**Brisbane, Australia** – Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, though downgraded to a tropical low, continues to wreak havoc on Australia’s east coast, leaving over 330,000 homes and businesses without power and prompting widespread disruption. The storm, which crossed the Queensland coast overnight, is now moving inland, bringing torrential rain and the threat of significant flooding.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned residents to remain vigilant, stating that the worst is yet to come. “The impacts are already being felt, and there is worse to come in the hours ahead,” he said from the National Situation Room. Heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding are now the primary concerns, according to Bureau of Meteorology manager Matt Collopy.
The storm’s impact has been widespread. Brisbane Airport remains closed, public transport is suspended in the city, and over 1,000 schools in southeast Queensland and 280 in northern New South Wales are shut. The Gold Coast was particularly hard hit, experiencing gusts of up to 107 km/h (66 mph) on Friday night, causing widespread damage to power lines, homes, and cars.
Power outages affect 291,000 properties in Queensland, with 131,000 in the Gold Coast alone, and a further 45,000 in New South Wales. One man remains missing after his vehicle was swept away by floodwaters in northern New South Wales.
While the cyclone has weakened, officials stress that the danger is far from over. “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,” Albanese emphasized. Authorities urge residents to remain indoors and heed all safety warnings. The storm marks the first cyclone to cross the east Australian coast near Brisbane since 1974.
First Piper 