Thousands Left Without Power as Cyclone Batters Australia

Tens of thousands of Australians remain without electricity after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred brought destructive winds and torrential rains, triggering widespread power outages and flood warnings across Queensland.

On Sunday, authorities reported that nearly 316,000 residents in southeast Queensland were left without power, with Gold Coast being the hardest hit, where over 112,000 homes faced blackouts.

Alfred made landfall as a tropical depression on Saturday after maintaining cyclone status for 16 days, prompting millions to prepare for severe weather impacts.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned that the situation in Queensland and northern New South Wales remains critical, with ongoing threats of heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and coastal surges expected in the coming days.

The Bureau of Meteorology cautioned that flooding had already begun and would likely intensify, affecting multiple regions. Winds of up to 90 km/h (56 mph) are also expected to cause further damage.

Though now downgraded to a weakened tropical depression, Alfred continues to push inland, bringing heavy downpours.

In New South Wales, severe flooding has already claimed one life, while an Australian Defence Force convoy en route to assist in Lismore was involved in a crash, leaving several officers injured.

Authorities are urging residents to stay alert and prepare for worsening conditions as emergency crews work to restore power and provide aid to affected communities.