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Briefs

Briefing – Cyclone Alfred, Queensland and NSW

Briefing – Cyclone Alfred, Queensland and NSW

12 March 2025

This brief provides information shared at the National Coordination Mechanism Meeting where the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), the Queensland Government and industry stakeholders provided updates on the situation following the landfall of cyclone Alfred in southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales.

Situation update

  • Ex-Cyclone Alfred continues to weaken as it moves further inland.
  • Isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected but will ease over the next few days.
  • Flooding remains moderate to major in several river catchments, including the Brisbane River, Logan-Alber, Condamine-Culgoa, Richmond and Clarence Rivers.
  • Water levels are steady or receding, though large volumes of water are still moving through the affected areas.
  • River catchments in Queensland are at moderate warnings levels, with Warril Creek remaining under a major flood warning. However, water levels at Warril Creek have peaked and expected to fall as the weather system continues to weaken.
  • In the coming days, thunderstorms may develop away from flooded areas, increasing the risk of fires in dry regions.
  • Due to high cumulative rainfall, soil saturation remails high, increasing risk of falling trees.
  • Coastal hazards to be lifted as the storm continues to weaken.

Queensland :

  • The Queensland SES received a high volume of calls for assistance following the landfall.
  • More than 350,000 initially lost power in the hours after the event, but as of Tuesday (11th), this has been reduced to 90,000 as recovery efforts continue.
  • 17 evacuation centres were in operation but will be closing in the coming days.

New South Wales :

  • The NSW SES responded to over 5,900 incidents and received more than 10,390 calls after the storm’s impact
  • The Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast were among the most affected regions.
  • NSW operated 20 evacuation centres, which will be phased out as recovery efforts progress.
  • ADF is providing support across Qld and NSW

Infrastructure and Transport update

  • Airports have resumed operations and all airlines are back to business as usual in the region.
  • Rail services to Cairns will resume shortly.
  • No major disruptions reported on key roads, including the Pacific Highway, allowing freight operations to resume as of 11 March 2025.
  • For real-time information on affected roads, road and bridge closures and for identifying alternative routes, refer to QLD Traffic and Live Traffic NSW website.

Energy update

  • Queensland experienced its largest distribution breakdown following the cyclone, but network restoration is ongoing. Transmission lines have remained intact.
  • Less than one-third of initially impacted customers remain without power.
  •  
  • Energex expects full power restoration by Saturday evening, either through the grid or emergency generators.
  • The lack of mains power is delaying the restoration of other essential services.

Telecommunications update

  • Power outages disrupted many mobile towers, but a significant portion has been restored.
  • Only one community remains without service, with technicians working to restore access.
  • Power restoration remains the key challenge for fully restoring telecommunications services.

Supermarket Retailers update

  • Most stores that temporarily closed have now reopened or will do so in the coming days.
  • Retailers are facing staff shortages due to road access issues and employees managing personal property loss.
  • Distribution centres (DCs) are operational, with a focus on restocking stores.
  • Retailers are urging local authorities to maintain clear messaging for consumers, emphasising patience as stock availability may be patchy in the coming days.
  • Some stores required full destocking, placing pressure on the waste management network.
  • Sufficient stock is available in DCs, and efforts are underway to distribute food as quickly as possible.
  • Fresh food supplies are most affected and will likely face more disruption, as local producers assess damage to crops.
  • Home deliveries will resume by Wednesday, with click-and-collect services potentially reopening earlier, depending on store readiness.

Contact

The AFGC will keep a watching brief for any additional information released by the Government. If your company requires assistance liaising with government bodies or other stakeholders as we transition to the recovery phase, please don’t hesitate to contact Samuel Garcia (Manager of Industry Affairs | Supply Chain and Economics) or Shalini Valecha for more information.

Shalini Valecha Director- Industry Affairs (Acting)