Rahul Somvanshi
Cyclone Alfred has unleashed torrential rains and severe flooding across Queensland and northern New South Wales, leaving over 300,000 homes without power and forcing thousands to evacuate.
“Like Jet Airliners Roaring Overhead”
David Harrop, a UK visitor caught in Brisbane when the storm hit Saturday night, described the experience as “frightening.”
“It sounded like three or four jet airliners roaring over the roof,” Harrop said. He reported that the cyclone had completely eroded a “beautiful” nearby beach and stripped branches from trees with its intense rainfall.
Alfred was downgraded to a tropical storm upon landfall but still packed winds up to 85km/h.
“Driving through Brisbane city was like a ghost town, hardly a single person to be seen in the city’s streets,” Harrop added.
Widespread Impact
Brisbane received approximately 30 centimeters of rainfall in 24 hours, with some areas recording heavy rainfall in a single day. Multiple rivers in the region have overflowed their banks.
Emergency services have conducted multiple swift water rescues throughout the affected regions, with at least one confirmed fatality. Health authorities have issued urgent warnings about contaminated floodwaters that pose risks of waterborne diseases and infections.
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Relief Efforts Mobilize
Financial institutions and aid organizations have stepped in with immediate support. NAB has announced $1,000 disaster relief grants for affected customers and a $200,000 donation to The Salvation Army.
“In times of crisis, it’s crucial that we rally together with our communities,” said NAB Group Executive Sharon Cook. “For someone who needs emergency accommodation or supplies, this can be a valuable lifeline to help get them back on their feet.”
The Australian Government has activated the Disaster Recovery Allowance, offering up to 13 weeks of income support for affected individuals.
Mental Health Support Critical
Red Cross teams are providing psychological first aid at evacuation centers, focusing on the mental health needs of displaced residents.
“We know our community has a high level of anxiety because of the memory of three years ago,” said Red Cross Deputy Leader Jenny Dowell. “These emotions that people are feeling at this stage are really real and warranted, but also thinking about how you can control those emotions, particularly for the sake of people around you.”
Dowell emphasized the importance of parents managing their own emotions: “Children pick up on the anxiety of parents. So if parents learn and are able to speak to their children in calm ways, that can help the children cope.”
Climate Link
Some experts have suggested connections between severe weather events and climate patterns. The cleanup costs are expected to be substantial, affecting homes, businesses, and public infrastructure.
As utility companies work to restore power and essential services, most evacuation orders have been lifted, though some areas remain under watch due to potential flash flooding.
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