"Thousands of Australians without power as ex-tropical cyclone lashes Queensland"

The skies over Queensland and Northern New South Wales are a churning cauldron of chaos as Tropical Cyclone Alfred, a Category 2 storm, barrels toward the coast. The storm, which is expected to make landfall on Saturday morning, has already left more than 62,000 properties without power, with 50,000 of those on the Gold Coast alone. The situation is dire, and the clock is ticking.



The Bureau of Meteorology's latest track map suggests that Alfred will cross over the Moreton Bay Islands Saturday morning, before making its way to the mainland coast, most likely between Noosa and Beenleigh later in the day. The storm's effects will be felt for hundreds of kilometers, from Double Island Point in Queensland to Grafton in New South Wales. The Gold Coast, in particular, is bracing for the worst, with wild winds and heavy rain expected to intensify before the cyclone crosses the coast on Friday evening or early on Saturday.

The situation on the ground is grim. Tens of thousands of homes have lost power or are in need of urgent assistance. The Gold Coast, a bustling tourist hub, is now a ghost town, with residents urged to take shelter and businesses scrambling to prepare for prolonged power outages. The City of Gold Coast issued an emergency alert at 3.29 pm on Friday, urging residents of Broadbeach to Jacobs Well and of South Stradbroke Island to take shelter now. The alert was issued at 3.29 pm on Friday by the City of Gold Coast.

The storm has also taken a toll on the local economy. Businesses relying on electricity for operations, such as retail stores, restaurants, and manufacturing plants, are facing disruptions. A popular Newstead cookie store, DRZLE, had its generator stolen just days after owner Tony Nasaj bought it to prepare for Cyclone Alfred. This theft highlights the vulnerability of businesses to power outages and the potential for additional losses due to theft or damage.

The federal government, meanwhile, has ruled out calling the federal election this weekend. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was expected to call an election for April 12 this weekend, has stated that he has no intention of doing anything that distracts from what we need to do. This is not a time for looking at politics. The government's decision to postpone the election has been met with mixed reactions, but it has provided a sense of stability in the midst of the crisis.

The situation in New South Wales is equally dire. A search is underway for a man missing in NSW floodwaters. The man was inside his 4WD when it was washed off Wild Cattle Creek Bridge off Old Coramba Rd at Megan into fast-running water about 2.20 pm on Friday. The man was able to get out of the car and secure himself to a tree branch approximately 30m from the river bank, but he was swept from the tree and last seen going underneath the floodwaters. Emergency services are now searching for the man, and are waiting for aerial assets.

The storm has also highlighted the need for improved disaster management and infrastructure. New Zealand's Deputy PM Winston Peters announced that New Zealand is pleased to shortly be sending more than 60 Urban Search and Rescue personnel to Queensland to support our friends in the response to Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Our thoughts are with all those affected. This international support is a testament to the global community's commitment to helping those in need.

The situation in Queensland and Northern New South Wales is a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of preparedness. As the storm continues to lash the coast, the focus is on safety and recovery. The government's decision to postpone the election has provided a sense of stability, but the road to recovery will be long and challenging. The storm has left thousands without power, and the economic impact will be felt for months to come. But as the community comes together to support each other, there is hope that they will emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before.