NSW, Queensland floods live updates: Remnants of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred continue as heavy rainfall batters Brisbane, northern NSW

Thank you for reading our live coverage of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred’s impact across South East Queensland and northern NSW. Here are some of today’s key developments:

• NSW Premier Chris Minns said the focus in the state today was the risk posed by water levels in the Clarence, Richmond and Tweed rivers.
• Lismore residents began returning to their homes after evacuation orders were lifted.
• This afternoon more than 200,000 homes across South East Queensland and northern NSW were without power.
• In northern NSW, 1800 people have been left isolated and with no access to evacuation routes due to heavy rains disrupting major road networks.
• Another ADF truck has been involved in a road collision during flood relief efforts in northern NSW, just days after two ADF trucks rolled over, and multiple army personnel were trapped and later hospitalised.
• Hundreds of schools were closed today – though many are expected to reopen tomorrow. Currently, 93 schools in NSW are set to remain closed tomorrow.
• A man who died after being swept into floodwaters in northern NSW on Friday was identified as 61-year-old Tom Cook.
• Thirteen people who were injured in a crash involving two Australian Defence Force vehicles near Lismore are expected to make a full recovery. All but one ADF member has been released from hospital, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles said this morning.

Have a good night, and stay safe.

Another ADF truck has been involved in a road collision during flood relief efforts in northern NSW, just days after two ADF trucks rolled over, and multiple army personnel were trapped and later hospitalised.

On Monday, two cars were involved in the collision with the ADF truck near Lismore.

First aid was provided at the scene, before an ambulance arrived.

No ADF personnel was injured.

In northern NSW, 1800 people have been left isolated and with no access to evacuation routes due to heavy rains disrupting major road networks.

A further 18,500 people have been advised by the SES to prepare for isolation as floodwaters continue to rise.

“We’re not out the woods just yet, major flooding and isolations are still occurring across many communities, and the predicted risk of heavy rain to continue throughout Monday and possibly into Tuesday will only exacerbate this risk,” NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Sean Kearns said.

The SES performed 18 flood rescues today, bringing the total number of rescues across the “event” to 77. In the last 24 hours the emergency service received 1169 calls.

Throughout the ex-tropical cyclone there have been over 12,000 calls to the SES in NSW and 7000 individual incidents, said a spokesperson.

While some Brisbane and South East Queensland train services have resumed after ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, they are either running on a Sunday timetable and/or have had lines reduced.

One such reduced line is Beenleigh, which is only running between Kuraby and Central, as its eponymous terminus station was hit hard by the severe weather.

Queensland Rail has released time-lapse footage of Beenleigh station flooding on Monday and said work is under way with the clean-up.

“This footage captures the immense flooding at Beenleigh station – turning it from a train station into a lake,” QR wrote on Instagram.

“Our teams are committed to restoring the network safely and are repairing it as conditions allow.

“Thank you for your patience as we work to keep our customers, employees, and community safe while getting services back on track.”

Good evening, and thank you for reading our live coverage of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred’s impact across South East Queensland and northern NSW. If you are just joining us now, here’s what you need to know:

• NSW Premier Chris Minns said the focus in the state today was the risk posed by water levels in the Clarence, Richmond and Tweed rivers. There are dozens of SES warnings in place along the rivers, with the Bureau of Meteorology advising of possible major flooding along all three, with further rainfall forecast for the Northern Rivers today.
• Lismore residents are returning to their homes after evacuation orders were lifted.

• This afternoon more than 200,000 homes across South East Queensland and northern NSW were without power.
• In Queensland, major flood warnings remainin place for the Laidley and Lockyer Creeks, Bremer River and Warrill Creek, and the Logan and Albert Rivers. In NSW moderate to major flood warnings are in place for the Clarence River at Grafton, Ulmarra and Maclean, as well as the Richmond River at Coraki, Bungawalbyn, and Woodburn.
• Hundreds of schools were closed today – though many are expected to reopen tomorrow. Currently, 93 schools in NSW are set to remain closed tomorrow, with the full list available here.
• A man who died after being swept into floodwaters in northern NSW on Friday was identified as 61-year-old Tom Cook.
• Thirteen people who were injured in a crash involving two Australian Defence Force vehicles near Lismore are expected to make a full recovery. All but one ADF member has been released from hospital, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles said this morning.

Stay with us for updates throughout the afternoon and evening.

The state’s health department has urged residents from northern NSW to stay safe around floodwaters which might contain hazardous substances including raw sewage.

In a statement, NSW Health also said drinking water supplies could be affected and told residents that they should check if they’re in a “boil water” area.

Flooding of the Maclean South Arm River near Brushgrove, NSW.Credit: Louise Kennerley

“If a ‘boil water’ alert has been issued in your area, observe it strictly to prevent illness. If you are not sure about the quality of drinking water, contact your water supplier or local council,” a NSW Health statement said.

Bilambil Heights, Terranora and some parts of Banora Point in the Tweed Shire Council are currently under a “boil water” guidance.

Byron Shire Council has urged residents in Mullumbimby to limit water use to essential drinking, cooking and hygiene as the local water treatment is unable to produce more safe drinking water. Water supplies in other parts of the Byron Shire remain unaffected.

Floodwaters could contain contaminants such as raw sewerage and chemicals which can cause infections, injury and sickness, Regional Director North Coast Population and Public Health Dr Valerie Delpech said.

“If you are involved in clean-up activities, please remember to wear safety equipment including boots, gloves and eye protection and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards,” Delpech said.

“Please clean and apply a dressing to any scratches or cuts to reduce chances of infection – even minor wounds are entry points for bacteria.”

NSW Health is also urging people to test their water tanks for chemicals, and for residents to “dry out” their homes to prevent mould.

To the Sunshine Coast, where council is warning people to stay off coastal dunes and away from seawalls because of shifting sands and falling rocks.

The spokesperson for Sunshine Coast Council said erosion caused by ex-tropical cyclone Alfred had weakened the dunes at numerous locations along the shoreline, creating steep drop-offs that could collapse suddenly.

Beaches with the worst erosion include Yaroomba, Maroochydore, Kings Beach and the Kawana stretch.

Council is also warning people to stay clear of the Moffat Beach seawall due to the risk of falling rocks and injury.

“It is showing signs of movement due to the large swells impacting the wall,” the spokesperson said.

“There is a significant risk of the wall deteriorating further and if that occurs, rock falls and movements are highly likely.

“The rocks can fall onto the beach at any time, and if it does, it will happen fairly quickly – within about 10-20 seconds – which means that anyone standing at the base of the rock wall will be injured.”

The spokesperson said council’s first priority was to clear access to surf lifesaving towers. No emergency beach nourishment was planned at this stage.

A man who was pulled from floodwaters in Lismore by police and SES crews, has been charged with a mid-range drink-driving offence.

Around 10am on Monday, multiple police and SES crews were called to help retrieve a 4WD that was stuck in floodwaters in the south of Lismore.

The 55-year-old man was subject to a breath test after his car was pulled out from floodwaters where he returned an alleged prescribed concentration of alcohol reading of 0.086, which constitutes a mid-range blood alcohol level.

He was issued a field Court Attendance Notice, and will appear before Lismore Local Court on March 19.

Queensland Police have announced they will deploy more officers to the Gold Coast and Logan to help with recovery and property crime to replace ADF soldiers.

Superintendent Peter Miles announced the change today, saying that the extra police will assist by doing round the clock patrols looking to help “anywhere they can”.

“The ADF staff, we’ve cut them free. We don’t need them at this stage as a priority. That’s a good thing for the Gold Coast, and we just continue on working with our external stakeholders, trying to get that power on, trying to get those roads cleared,” Miles said.

Operation Xray Secure was established by Queensland police to target criminals who are taking advantage of homes and businesses that are vulnerable during the floods and its recovery.

“We really welcome that support down here on the Gold Coast… It helps send a clear message that we are keen to keep the community safe at all hours and continue the good work that the officers have undertaken so far,” said Miles.

Over 9000 homes and businesses are without power in northern NSW, as energy providers struggle to deal with the “volume of fallen trees and challenging access from floodwaters and landslides”, a spokesperson from Essential Energy has said.

The provider said that homes and businesses need to be prepared to go without power for “several days” as special equipment and climbing crews are rolled out across the state. Some work will not be able to begin until the weather has improved.

Downed trees in northern NSW are causing issues for energy providers attempting to reinstate power. Credit: Carmen Finch

“Community hubs will be established tomorrow to provide support to customers including access to the internet and charging for mobile devices. Locations will be listed on electronic signboards that will be placed throughout impacted communities,” the spokesperson said.

“Essential Energy is asking the community to please stay at least 8 metres away from fallen powerlines, and 150 metres from lines immersed in water, following reports of people trying to remove lines from fallen trees. The community should always assume these assets are live and very dangerous and should report them to Essential Energy on 13 20 80.”