Although SEQ was spared a category 2 storm as Alfred downgraded before making landfall and the current forecast for Tuesday for Brisbane only indicates showers, some areas, like Grantham, are seeing 2011-level flooding so residents are still encouraged to get inside and up high whenever possible. Oxley residents also went through a stressful night as flood levels rose at rapid speeds in the early hours of Monday morning, effectively turning Oxley Rd into a river and cutting off residents in low-lying streets.
Meanwhile, Brisbanites have been urged by Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner to come together and set up a “Ute Army” to help clean-up efforts, as some areas are ready to start gathering the waste and debris left behind by the storm.
In fact, temporary green waste satellite sites have been set up at Whites Hill Reserve, Camp Hill and the Mount Coot-Tha car park at Sir Samuel Griffith Drive, and the Resource Recovery Centres at 101 Upper Kedron Road, Ferny Grove and 728 Tilley Road, Chandler will continue to accept green waste for free.
The Brisbane City Council crews have gotten started on the clean-up and tree removal process, starting with trees blocking public areas, which is why a community response is also encouraged and needed. Kerbside pick-ups for residents who experienced flooding will start from next Monday, giving people the opportunity to clean up through the weekend.
Despite the downgrade, Premier David Crisafulli revealed there was a record-breaking number of callouts for the SES, with 3676 calls for help recorded in 24 hours, the largest volume in a day in the history of the SES. With this in mind, evacuation centres remain open and emergency alerts are still in place in several areas, such as Ipswich, the Sunshine Coast and Logan, and locals are still urged to not drive unless necessary.
More than 206,000 Energex customers were still without power across South East Queensland on Monday morning, with most outages still on the Gold Coast, and the company has promised more information on when every home would get power back in the coming days. The SES has conducted 46 rescues, performed by swift water rescue crews and other personnel.
As of now, 198 state schools have reopened, and 463 state schools remain closed along with 259 independent and Catholic schools, and parents can stay updated on their children’s school here. Additionally, public transport services are back in operation — with some disruptions, which you can check here — and Port of Brisbane services and ferries to island communities are also expected to recommence. Flights have resumed in the Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Toowoomba airports. All major Queensland hospitals remain open and elective surgeries have restarted.
Financial assistance has been made available to Gold Coast, Redlands and Logan residents who have been impacted. There are different payments and types of assistance depending on your circumstances, and you can find all the relevant information here.
With major rivers and creeks across the southeast likely to peak in the next few days, the risk of flash floods is still very much a concern even as the rain eases. Brisbane City Council has therefore opened multiple evacuation centres for residents needing to leave due to flooding at The Chandler Arena, Sleeman Sports Complex at 757 Tilley Road, Chandler, the Kedron Wavell Services Club at Chermside, and Riverlife Community Centre at 47 Jennifer Street, Seventeen Mile Rocks.
The council advised those evacuating to take an emergency kit and bedding, turn off electricity and gas, and lock up homes before leaving. Pets are allowed at the Sleeman Sports Centre and Riverlife Community Centre, but must be crated, leashed and securely transported as they will be kept in a separate location.
We urge you to remain vigilant and safe, and to help your community if you’re in a position to do so.