<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>339967</docID> <postdate>2025-03-09 07:02:27</postdate> <headline>Cyclone downgraded but dangerous weather threat looms</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-339968" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20250308144784521574-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Ex-cyclone Alfred has started to move across the coast as a tropical low. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Savannah Meacham</strong> in Brisbane</span></p> <p><strong>More than 200,000 homes remain without power and the threat of a tropical cyclone is not yet over despite the system being downgraded.</strong></p> <p>Ex-cyclone Alfred began moving as a tropical low from Queensland's Bribie Island, across the coast, and inland towards the state's southwest on Sunday.</p> <p>The weakened storm still packs a punch, with the Brisbane region being battered by rain and strong wind gusts on Saturday night, including 100km/h recorded in Redcliffe and more than 70km/h at Brisbane Airport.</p> <p>And there is more to come, as forecasters expect up to 700mm of rain and destructive gusts continuing through to Monday.</p> <p>"We don't know what the weather will bring, the system remains active," Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said.</p> <p>The Gold Coast and northern NSW have felt the brunt of the severe weather with the glitter strip recording gusts of 100km/h with trees crashing into homes.</p> <p>Northern NSW is facing a flooding crisis with multiple major flood warnings in place for the Tweed, Richmond, Wilsons, Brunswick, Orara, Clarence and Bellinger rivers.</p> <p>Major flooding is also expected at the Wilsons River, which runs through Lismore, where the water height is predicted to reach about 10.6m, touching the top of the levee.</p> <p>The emergency disaster has also impacted those sent to help flood victims with two army trucks crashing south of Lismore on Saturday, injuring more than 30 people.</p> <p>NSW Premier Chris Minns was concerned to hear of the injuries and said the state's emergency services would provide all necessary support.</p> <p>"They came to the Northern Rivers to help keep this community safe," he said.</p> <p>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles said the focus was on the personnel and their families.</p> <p>"Our ADF heroes were on their way to help Australians in need," they said in a statement.</p> <p>Meanwhile, thousands of locals have been evacuated and many cannot yet return home as the river levels rise.</p> <p>The weather event turned deadly when a body, believed to be a 61-year-old man, was found after a day-long search.</p> <p>The man's ute was swept into floodwaters at Megan, about 25 km north of Dorrigo.</p> <p>He was able to get out of the ute and climb into a tree about 30 metres from the riverbank but was swept away before emergency personnel could reach him.</p> <p>Mr Crisafulli vowed to provide any assistance to the NSW neighbours as the flood emergency worsened.</p> <p>"Whilst there's a border than separates our responsibility, it doesn't separate our compassion for a fellow human," he told reporters.</p> <p>"If those communities cop it again and we can assist them, we'll be there."</p> <p>Meanwhile, southeast Queensland is slowly coming back to life after halting services for Alfred's arrival.</p> <p>Public transport, excluding trains and Gold Coast buses, will resume on Sunday while shops, supermarkets and service stations will begin opening on a case-by-case basis</p> <p>Ferries to Moreton Bay will resume on Sunday for residents stuck on the mainland or the island.</p> <p>Mr Crisafulli promised support to individuals and small businesses impacted by the weather event once the government has assessed the damage.</p> <p>"If mother nature deals a tough hand, we have to be there to support individuals ... small family businesses and farmers," he said.</p> <p>Brisbane and Gold Coast airports are looking to resume flights on Sunday if it is safe to do so.</p> <p>A major clean-up effort remains across the southeast, particularly for the Gold Coast.</p> <p>Energex crews will be working to restore power and assisting telcos to restore communications.</p> </body>