The key points from David Crisafulli’s latest address on ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred

When will my child’s school reopen? Can I get into work? When will this be over? Here’s everything you need to know after David Crisafulli delivered his latest update.

David Crisafulli has delivered his latest update on ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Picture, John Gass

Here’s everything you need to know after David Crisafulli delivered his latest update.

Ipswich in the firing line

Rosewood is currently in flood and that is expected to move downstream overnight to Ipswich. 

Sunshine Coast on high alert

Evacuations have occurred at Yandina caravan park, a watch and act alert has been issued and there access issues across the coast.

Logan major flood warning 

Major flood warnings are in place for Albert and Logan Rivers. Door knocks have occurred and you need to be prepared if you live in this area.

Brisbane needs to stay ready 

Mr Crisafulli said it’s a developing situation and Brisbane residents needed to have a plan in place. He urged residents in flood prone areas to have an evacuation route and be prepared. 

Schools

The Premier assured parents that getting students back to school safely was a priority.

Students will only return when it is safe to do so. Mr Crisafulli said damage assessments were under way across impacted areas.

Historic response 

More than 3600 calls have been made to the SES. It’s the largest in the history of Queensland’s State Emergency Service. 

Mind-blowing rainfall

In the past 24 hours there has been 443mm of rain recorded on the Sunshine Coast, 410mm inland from the Gold Coast, and 340mm at Mount Coot-Tha in Brisbane.

The most intense falls saw 207mm recorded in just six hours to 10am today.

Telecommunications a problem 

Mr Crisafulli said black spots exist and the state government was working with telcos to restore systems.

Challenges remain

Mr Crisafulli said electricity was the number one challenge. 130,000 homes have been reconnected, with more than 200,000 still without power. To those still in darkness, Mr Crisafulli “crews are working around the clock and their priority first and foremost is to try and get this state back on its feet”.

Hervey Bay

Mr Crisafulli said the government didn’t know the scale of the damage, but intel on the ground suggested it’s significant. The state government is working with key agencies in the recovery response.

Public transport

Some bus services will be up and running today.More than 700km of train tracks have been cleared. Some services are operational but there will be disruptions. Updates will be made across the day. 

Dams

Mr Crisafulli said water had fallen in catchment areas. Seqwater will provide an update later today. 

Hardship payments

Available today from today for residents of the Gold Coast, Redlands and Logan. Payments available are $180 per person, $900 per family. Other impacted areas will be added. 

Risk is not over

A severe weather warning remains current from north of Gympie to the Queensland border and westward to Toowoomba and Goondiwindi.

Very heavy rainfall will persist with the potential for dangerous to life-threatening flash flooding.

Six-hourly totals up to 120mm are possible, but 150mm not out of the question.

Originally published as The key points from David Crisafulli’s latest address on ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred