In Australia, a powerful storm lashes the east coast, leaving thousands of people without power, and authorities warn the situation will worsen overnight.
Evacuations are underway as residents in waterfront homes on the Central Coast, north of Sydney, have been ordered to leave amid fears of destructive waves.
Heavy rain and damaging winds have triggered emergency warnings across New South Wales, including Sydney. More than one thousand volunteers are assisting with storm-related emergencies as conditions continue to deteriorate.
Communities in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales (NSW) began the clean-up on March 9 after the storm caused widespread flooding and knocked down power lines and trees.
A 61-year-old man’s body was recovered from floodwaters on Saturday, while in a separate incident, 12 soldiers were taken to hospital after their convoy crashed en route to rescue operations. The storm had weakened by the time it made landfall near Brisbane on Saturday night, but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday warned locals of the continued wild weather and risks from flooding.
“The situation in Queensland and northern New South Wales remains very serious due to flash flooding and heavy winds,” Albanese said in an address. “Heavy rainfall, damaging wind gusts and coastal surf impacts are expected to continue over coming days.
Cyclone Alfred had hovered for days off the country’s east coast as a category two cyclone before weakening into a tropical depression on Saturday. By Sunday evening, emergency services had conducted over a dozen rescues in Queensland and NSW – most involving people trapped by rising waters in their cars or homes. The NSW State Emergency Service reported receiving more than 6,000 calls for help.