Storm Alfred newest: Australian PM warns ‘worse to come back’ as fierce winds hit coast

A number of defence pressure personnel have been injured in a collision of two military autos in New South Wales.

Each vehicles rolled after the collision outdoors of Lismore in northern NSW – however it’s not clear precisely how the accident occurred, ABC reported.

There have been 36 individuals within the Australian Defence Pressure autos concerned within the crash, 13 of whom had been injured, the ADF stated.

“Quite a few ADF personnel have been injured. The welfare of ADF members and their households is a precedence and Defence’s focus is on supporting these concerned,” the ADF stated in a press release.

A slow-moving cyclone is commonly far worse than one which strikes shortly. The longer a cyclone stays over a area, the extra rain it dumps.

“Each wind and rainfall will probably be extended over areas affected which is able to exacerbate the influence felt by individuals and infrastructure,” Mr Barnes says for Alfred. “This contains rainfall and wind in addition to storm surge and coastal wave results.”

Flood warnings are already in place, with southeast Queensland and northern NSW anticipating accrued 800mm of rain anticipated, with increased totals attainable in some areas. Life-threatening flash flooding and river flooding are main considerations.

Northern New South Wales has already recorded over 200mm of rainfall in 24 hours whereas Queensland has recorded o ver 100mm in hinterland areas and the Scenic Rim by 8am on Thursday.

When rain continues to fall on an already soaked floor, the chance of life-threatening flash flooding and river flooding will increase because the water has nowhere to go, overwhelming rivers, storm drains, and low-lying areas a lot sooner. The extended heavy rain additionally signifies that floodwaters will take longer to recede, extending the influence on communities.

Circumstances of the lethal bacterial an infection melioidosis have surged in north Queensland following this 12 months’s devastating floods, with 119 infections reported—greater than 3 times the quantity recorded in the identical interval in 2024.

Sixteen individuals have died to date.

Of the confirmed instances, 106 had been detected in Cairns and Townsville.

The illness, brought on by the soil-dwelling bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, thrives in tropical areas and is usually triggered by environmental disruptions reminiscent of flooding. The micro organism can enter the physique via cuts, inhalation, or contaminated water consumption.

Affiliate Professor Jeffrey Warner, a microbiology skilled on the Australian Institute of Tropical Well being and Drugs, described melioidosis as an “opportunistic an infection” that primarily impacts these with underlying well being situations, together with diabetes and kidney illness.

Heavy alcohol consumption additionally will increase susceptibility.

The illness, usually mistaken for extreme respiratory infections, can quickly progress to pneumonia and sepsis. “Even when individuals current in well-resourced hospitals, the illness could be deadly,” the Guardian quoted Dr Warner as saying.

Former cyclone Alfred has made landfall on the Australia’s coast, inflicting vital injury and flooding, Australian climate authorities have confirmed.

“Because the system continues over land it can deliver a considerable amount of rain throughout the south-east and components of southern inland Queensland, within the subsequent 2-3 days,” Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology says.

UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has spoken together with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese.

In talks which largely centred round defence, Sir Keir additionally provided his sympathy concerning the influence of Cyclone Alfred.

Mr Albanese wrote on X: “Thanks on your sympathy for the influence of Cyclone Alfred.”

A Downing Avenue spokesperson stated Sir Keir had expressed his “assist for all Australians effected by the Cyclone and paid tribute to the energy of the partnership between the 2 nations”.

Recent evacuation orders have been issued in components of New South Wales as a result of flooding, with authorities warning residents to evacuate now earlier than rescue efforts turn out to be not possible.

“You will need to evacuate now as a result of evacuation routes could also be minimize,” regional authorities say within the alert.

“You need to evacuate to stick with household, associates, or alternate lodging in areas unaffected by flooding,” it added.

“If you happen to stay within the space, chances are you’ll turn out to be trapped with out energy, water, and different important companies. It could be too harmful for NSW SES to rescue you, and buildings could not be capable of face up to the influence of flood water.”

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred has weakened right into a tropical low however continues to deliver heavy rainfall, sturdy winds, and the chance of life-threatening flash flooding throughout southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales. Though the system has stalled off the coast, it’s anticipated to step by step transfer inland over the approaching days.

A tropical low is a weaker low-pressure system that varieties over heat tropical waters and might both intensify right into a cyclone or dissipate relying on situations. Not like totally developed cyclones, tropical lows lack an outlined eye and robust wind circulation however can nonetheless deliver torrential rain, gusty winds, and flooding.

Regardless that Alfred has weakened, saturated catchments and ongoing heavy rainfall imply flooding dangers stay excessive. Authorities are urging residents to remain alert as rivers proceed to rise and flash flooding stays a significant concern.