Help is here! How to claim up to $1,000 in disaster relief after Cyclone Alfred
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Extreme weather can be unpredictable, leaving communities to grapple with its sudden and often devastating impact.
As severe conditions swept across parts of some regions, residents faced power outages, flash flooding, and widespread damage.
With emergency services in full force and recovery efforts underway, authorities remained on high alert for further risks.
Australians who faced significant hardship due to natural disasters became eligible for financial aid, with adults able to claim a one-off payment of $1,000 and children $400.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on 8 March that those impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred would receive disaster relief payments, despite the system being downgraded to a tropical low.
The financial assistance, provided through the Disaster Recovery Payment scheme, was a joint effort between state and federal governments.
State governments were responsible for activating payments within 40 hours of impact, while eligible individuals could apply online through Services Australia.
To qualify, applicants needed to be Australian citizens or NZ special category visa holders, be at least 16 years old, and have suffered direct consequences from the disaster.
The government stated that eligible individuals included those who were seriously injured, lost an immediate family member, or experienced significant damage to a major asset.
Parents and guardians could apply on behalf of children who met the eligibility criteria.
Those who lost income, such as business owners affected by flooding, could apply for a Disaster Recovery Allowance, which provided financial support for up to 13 weeks based on individual circumstances.
Earlier in the week, disaster recovery funding had been approved for 12 councils in southeast Queensland as they braced for the storm.
This funding assisted local governments with emergency preparations, including sandbagging, evacuations, and infrastructure repairs.
The affected councils included Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Gympie, Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, and Sunshine Coast.
Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy emphasised that public safety was the top priority.
‘We’re prepared for Cyclone Alfred and we’re asking Queenslanders to do the same,’ she said.
‘We have resources on the ground, ready to go, as soon as Cyclone Alfred passes. We are working in partnership with councils and this funding will greatly assist them with their preparations for their communities.’
Cyclone Alfred, which lingered off the Queensland coast for several days, weakened to a tropical low by Saturday morning, but severe weather warnings remained in place for southeast Queensland and northern NSW.
Queensland reported no fatalities or major home inundations, but a man in northern NSW went missing after being swept away by floodwaters in Megan, near Coffs Harbour.
Tens of thousands of residents in flood-prone areas faced evacuation orders, with emergency services responding to thousands of calls for assistance.
Gold Coast residents were urged to remain indoors after widespread flooding caused extensive damage across the region.
An older apartment complex on the Gold Coast lost its roof in the storm, while Gold Coast University Hospital operated on backup generators due to power outages.
Authorities raced to restore power to two water treatment plants before supplies ran out.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli warned of ongoing risks as the system moved inland.
‘The challenge is now flash flooding, creek rises—they remain a real prospect predicted in days ahead,’ he said.
‘We have to be ready for that prospect and with already swollen catchments, the risk of flash flooding remains.’
Wild weather pummelled coastal areas, with 120 millimetres of rain recorded at the Gold Coast and 130 millimetres at Lismore in just 24 hours.
In NSW, the Lismore levee was expected to overflow, prompting further evacuation alerts.
The SES received approximately 8,800 calls for help, while more than 16,000 people in the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast regions were under evacuation orders.
About 240,000 homes and businesses lost power across southeast Queensland, with warnings that outages could persist.
Schools, public transport, and major roads remained closed, while elective surgeries at some hospitals were postponed.
Brisbane cafe owner Quat Vu had spent days fortifying his Eightysix Cafe, recalling the devastation caused by the 2022 floods.
‘We had (sandbags) to a certain height but then we got the latest news about what the cyclone is doing and how it is going to dump a lot more rain,’ he said.
A team of 66 disaster response personnel arrived from New Zealand to assist with recovery efforts.
Emergency payments were made available to those unable to work, while residents faced a long road to recovery as authorities continued to assess the damage.
As ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues its path inland, communities across northern NSW and southeast Queensland are dealing with widespread flooding, power outages, and severe weather warnings, with authorities urging residents to remain vigilant.
Many areas in northern NSW and southeast Queensland were still feeling the effects of the ex-cyclone, although the worst had passed in some locations.
The system had moved westward, prompting warnings of potential severe weather in northwestern NSW.
East Kempsey's CBD was on alert for possible evacuation after the NSW SES predicted dangerous flooding in the town.
Meanwhile, flood warnings in Lismore were downgraded, allowing residents to return home cautiously.
About 350,000 homes and businesses in Queensland remained without power, with the state's premier confirming extensive outages.
Severe winds lashed southeast Queensland, and heavy rainfall continued to drench Hervey Bay, where more than 30cm of rain was recorded in just a few hours.
As a result of the dangerous conditions, 685 schools across Queensland were closed, including 426 state schools, 170 independent schools, and 89 Catholic schools.
The state premier confirmed that school reopenings would be assessed on a case-by-case basis, with the full list of closures available on the Queensland Department of Education website.
NAPLAN testing was set to proceed on 12 March in unaffected regions, while schools impacted by the cyclone would have the option to conduct the tests on 17 March, with the possibility of further delays if necessary.
Despite repeated warnings, some residents were spotted wading through floodwaters, with images circulating of individuals taking selfies while knee-deep in the murky waters of Brisbane’s flooded streets.
Emergency services reminded the public of the dangers of floodwaters, emphasising that even seemingly shallow water could pose serious risks.
Meanwhile, shocking images revealed homes in Brisbane had been torn apart by the ex-cyclone, including a house in Brighton where the entire wall of a second-storey living room had been ripped off, exposing furniture to the elements.
The suburb, located about 35 km west of Moreton Island, was among the areas hardest hit by the storm’s destructive winds.
Flood threats in Lismore were downgraded from major to moderate, easing concerns about a repeat of the catastrophic 2022 floods.
The Bureau of Meteorology reported that the Wilsons River at Lismore peaked at 9.31 metres on Saturday afternoon, with water levels expected to recede slowly.
A severe weather warning remained in place for the Northern Rivers, with authorities closely monitoring rainfall and river levels.
Premier Chris Minns, who was in Lismore, confirmed that the evacuation warning for the CBD had been lifted, though some low-lying communities near the Clarence River were still at risk.
He urged residents to stay informed using the Hazards Near Me app and acknowledged the ongoing efforts of emergency crews working to restore power.
Essential Energy had restored electricity to about 30,000 properties, but approximately 14,000 remained without power, primarily in the Tweed area.
In a tragic turn, a Defence convoy transporting soldiers to assist in flood-affected areas crashed on Saturday evening near Lismore.
Two Defence vehicles carrying 36 personnel overturned on Tregeagle Road, about 9 km southwest of Lismore, injuring 13 soldiers.
Twelve remained in hospital, with two in serious condition.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the ADF personnel, calling them ‘heroes’ and acknowledging their sacrifices in the face of disaster.
The crash required a major emergency response, but all personnel were accounted for, and none were trapped for an extended period.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli reported that Hervey Bay had experienced over 200mm of rain in just two hours, triggering flash flooding and multiple rescues.
Across Brisbane, heavy downpours caused flooding in creeks, prompting renewed warnings for residents to stay indoors and check emergency maps for their local area.
Hundreds of emergency workers, including SES crews, police, and fire and rescue personnel, were deployed across the state to assist with the crisis.
Since the cyclone made landfall, approximately 450,000 homes and businesses had lost power, with more than 300,000 still affected as of Sunday afternoon.
Energex and Ergon Energy crews worked tirelessly to restore power, with over 1,200 workers in place before the cyclone struck and an additional 800 deployed from northern Queensland to assist.
Trains in Brisbane were set to run on a Sunday schedule on Monday, while buses would replace train services between Caboolture and the Sunshine Coast.
Gold Coast trams were expected to take at least 24 hours to resume operation after power was restored.
Meanwhile, ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred continued to wreak havoc in NSW, where major flood warnings remained in place for several rivers, including the Tweed, Clarence, and Richmond.
More than 14,000 people were under evacuation orders or warnings, with authorities issuing 141 alerts, including 36 emergency warnings.
SES deputy commissioner Damien Johnson stressed the importance of heeding warnings, noting that despite widespread compliance, some individuals continued to drive through floodwaters, endangering both themselves and emergency responders.
In the past 24 hours, 17 people had been rescued after attempting to cross flooded roads.
Authorities warned that reconnecting power to thousands of homes in NSW would be a slow process due to hazardous conditions, including rising floodwaters, fallen trees, and landslides.
Essential Energy reported that 16,000 properties remained without electricity, with access to some areas still blocked, preventing crews from assessing damage.
Helicopter assessments were also deemed too dangerous due to ongoing severe weather.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned of possible flash flooding across the Northern Rivers, the Dorrigo Ranges, the Mid North Coast, and the Northern Tablelands.
Heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and storm surges remained a concern, particularly in southeast Queensland, where the Brisbane, Ipswich, and Sunshine Coast regions faced potential six-hour rainfall totals of 150 mm to 210 mm.
Authorities emphasised that despite the cyclone moving inland, the threat was far from over, with multiple river catchments under major flood warnings and the risk of further extreme weather in the coming days.
With disaster relief efforts underway and communities beginning to recover, the question remains—how long will it take for life to return to normal?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
As severe conditions swept across parts of some regions, residents faced power outages, flash flooding, and widespread damage.
With emergency services in full force and recovery efforts underway, authorities remained on high alert for further risks.
Australians who faced significant hardship due to natural disasters became eligible for financial aid, with adults able to claim a one-off payment of $1,000 and children $400.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on 8 March that those impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred would receive disaster relief payments, despite the system being downgraded to a tropical low.
The financial assistance, provided through the Disaster Recovery Payment scheme, was a joint effort between state and federal governments.
State governments were responsible for activating payments within 40 hours of impact, while eligible individuals could apply online through Services Australia.
To qualify, applicants needed to be Australian citizens or NZ special category visa holders, be at least 16 years old, and have suffered direct consequences from the disaster.
The government stated that eligible individuals included those who were seriously injured, lost an immediate family member, or experienced significant damage to a major asset.
Parents and guardians could apply on behalf of children who met the eligibility criteria.
Those who lost income, such as business owners affected by flooding, could apply for a Disaster Recovery Allowance, which provided financial support for up to 13 weeks based on individual circumstances.
Earlier in the week, disaster recovery funding had been approved for 12 councils in southeast Queensland as they braced for the storm.
This funding assisted local governments with emergency preparations, including sandbagging, evacuations, and infrastructure repairs.
The affected councils included Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Gympie, Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, and Sunshine Coast.
Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy emphasised that public safety was the top priority.
‘We’re prepared for Cyclone Alfred and we’re asking Queenslanders to do the same,’ she said.
‘We have resources on the ground, ready to go, as soon as Cyclone Alfred passes. We are working in partnership with councils and this funding will greatly assist them with their preparations for their communities.’
Cyclone Alfred, which lingered off the Queensland coast for several days, weakened to a tropical low by Saturday morning, but severe weather warnings remained in place for southeast Queensland and northern NSW.
Queensland reported no fatalities or major home inundations, but a man in northern NSW went missing after being swept away by floodwaters in Megan, near Coffs Harbour.
Tens of thousands of residents in flood-prone areas faced evacuation orders, with emergency services responding to thousands of calls for assistance.
Gold Coast residents were urged to remain indoors after widespread flooding caused extensive damage across the region.
An older apartment complex on the Gold Coast lost its roof in the storm, while Gold Coast University Hospital operated on backup generators due to power outages.
Authorities raced to restore power to two water treatment plants before supplies ran out.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli warned of ongoing risks as the system moved inland.
‘The challenge is now flash flooding, creek rises—they remain a real prospect predicted in days ahead,’ he said.
‘We have to be ready for that prospect and with already swollen catchments, the risk of flash flooding remains.’
Wild weather pummelled coastal areas, with 120 millimetres of rain recorded at the Gold Coast and 130 millimetres at Lismore in just 24 hours.
In NSW, the Lismore levee was expected to overflow, prompting further evacuation alerts.
The SES received approximately 8,800 calls for help, while more than 16,000 people in the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast regions were under evacuation orders.
About 240,000 homes and businesses lost power across southeast Queensland, with warnings that outages could persist.
Schools, public transport, and major roads remained closed, while elective surgeries at some hospitals were postponed.
Brisbane cafe owner Quat Vu had spent days fortifying his Eightysix Cafe, recalling the devastation caused by the 2022 floods.
‘We had (sandbags) to a certain height but then we got the latest news about what the cyclone is doing and how it is going to dump a lot more rain,’ he said.
A team of 66 disaster response personnel arrived from New Zealand to assist with recovery efforts.
Emergency payments were made available to those unable to work, while residents faced a long road to recovery as authorities continued to assess the damage.
As ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues its path inland, communities across northern NSW and southeast Queensland are dealing with widespread flooding, power outages, and severe weather warnings, with authorities urging residents to remain vigilant.
Many areas in northern NSW and southeast Queensland were still feeling the effects of the ex-cyclone, although the worst had passed in some locations.
The system had moved westward, prompting warnings of potential severe weather in northwestern NSW.
East Kempsey's CBD was on alert for possible evacuation after the NSW SES predicted dangerous flooding in the town.
Meanwhile, flood warnings in Lismore were downgraded, allowing residents to return home cautiously.
About 350,000 homes and businesses in Queensland remained without power, with the state's premier confirming extensive outages.
Severe winds lashed southeast Queensland, and heavy rainfall continued to drench Hervey Bay, where more than 30cm of rain was recorded in just a few hours.
As a result of the dangerous conditions, 685 schools across Queensland were closed, including 426 state schools, 170 independent schools, and 89 Catholic schools.
The state premier confirmed that school reopenings would be assessed on a case-by-case basis, with the full list of closures available on the Queensland Department of Education website.
NAPLAN testing was set to proceed on 12 March in unaffected regions, while schools impacted by the cyclone would have the option to conduct the tests on 17 March, with the possibility of further delays if necessary.
Despite repeated warnings, some residents were spotted wading through floodwaters, with images circulating of individuals taking selfies while knee-deep in the murky waters of Brisbane’s flooded streets.
Emergency services reminded the public of the dangers of floodwaters, emphasising that even seemingly shallow water could pose serious risks.
Meanwhile, shocking images revealed homes in Brisbane had been torn apart by the ex-cyclone, including a house in Brighton where the entire wall of a second-storey living room had been ripped off, exposing furniture to the elements.
The suburb, located about 35 km west of Moreton Island, was among the areas hardest hit by the storm’s destructive winds.
Flood threats in Lismore were downgraded from major to moderate, easing concerns about a repeat of the catastrophic 2022 floods.
The Bureau of Meteorology reported that the Wilsons River at Lismore peaked at 9.31 metres on Saturday afternoon, with water levels expected to recede slowly.
A severe weather warning remained in place for the Northern Rivers, with authorities closely monitoring rainfall and river levels.
Premier Chris Minns, who was in Lismore, confirmed that the evacuation warning for the CBD had been lifted, though some low-lying communities near the Clarence River were still at risk.
He urged residents to stay informed using the Hazards Near Me app and acknowledged the ongoing efforts of emergency crews working to restore power.
Essential Energy had restored electricity to about 30,000 properties, but approximately 14,000 remained without power, primarily in the Tweed area.
In a tragic turn, a Defence convoy transporting soldiers to assist in flood-affected areas crashed on Saturday evening near Lismore.
Two Defence vehicles carrying 36 personnel overturned on Tregeagle Road, about 9 km southwest of Lismore, injuring 13 soldiers.
Twelve remained in hospital, with two in serious condition.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the ADF personnel, calling them ‘heroes’ and acknowledging their sacrifices in the face of disaster.
The crash required a major emergency response, but all personnel were accounted for, and none were trapped for an extended period.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli reported that Hervey Bay had experienced over 200mm of rain in just two hours, triggering flash flooding and multiple rescues.
Across Brisbane, heavy downpours caused flooding in creeks, prompting renewed warnings for residents to stay indoors and check emergency maps for their local area.
Hundreds of emergency workers, including SES crews, police, and fire and rescue personnel, were deployed across the state to assist with the crisis.
Since the cyclone made landfall, approximately 450,000 homes and businesses had lost power, with more than 300,000 still affected as of Sunday afternoon.
Energex and Ergon Energy crews worked tirelessly to restore power, with over 1,200 workers in place before the cyclone struck and an additional 800 deployed from northern Queensland to assist.
Trains in Brisbane were set to run on a Sunday schedule on Monday, while buses would replace train services between Caboolture and the Sunshine Coast.
Gold Coast trams were expected to take at least 24 hours to resume operation after power was restored.
Power crews work tirelessly to restore electricity. Image source: David Gray/AFP/Getty Images
Meanwhile, ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred continued to wreak havoc in NSW, where major flood warnings remained in place for several rivers, including the Tweed, Clarence, and Richmond.
More than 14,000 people were under evacuation orders or warnings, with authorities issuing 141 alerts, including 36 emergency warnings.
SES deputy commissioner Damien Johnson stressed the importance of heeding warnings, noting that despite widespread compliance, some individuals continued to drive through floodwaters, endangering both themselves and emergency responders.
In the past 24 hours, 17 people had been rescued after attempting to cross flooded roads.
Authorities warned that reconnecting power to thousands of homes in NSW would be a slow process due to hazardous conditions, including rising floodwaters, fallen trees, and landslides.
Essential Energy reported that 16,000 properties remained without electricity, with access to some areas still blocked, preventing crews from assessing damage.
Helicopter assessments were also deemed too dangerous due to ongoing severe weather.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned of possible flash flooding across the Northern Rivers, the Dorrigo Ranges, the Mid North Coast, and the Northern Tablelands.
Heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and storm surges remained a concern, particularly in southeast Queensland, where the Brisbane, Ipswich, and Sunshine Coast regions faced potential six-hour rainfall totals of 150 mm to 210 mm.
Authorities emphasised that despite the cyclone moving inland, the threat was far from over, with multiple river catchments under major flood warnings and the risk of further extreme weather in the coming days.
With disaster relief efforts underway and communities beginning to recover, the question remains—how long will it take for life to return to normal?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
