Ex-Cyclone Alfred live updates: Daughter’s VERY Aussie reaction after her dad was dramatically rescued when his ute became trapped in floodwater

A relieved daughter says she feels like punching her dad in the face after he was plucked to safety from floodwaters in dramatic scenes.

The man called his daughter for help after driving his ute through a flooded Chevallum Rd in Palmwoods in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland on Monday and became stuck.

‘He called me to say that he was stuck in the floodwater and the car was filling up with water and that he couldn’t get out and then I freaked out and called the police,’ she told Nine News.

Rescue crews used drones to locate the man found sitting on the roof of his submerged ute.

Ropes were secured to the man before he was helped into an inflatable rescue boat and taken to dry land, where he was reunited with his grateful daughter.

However, his relief may be short-lived.

‘I feel like punching him in the face right now,’ his daughter said.

‘But I feel a lot better now.’

It was one of 17 floodwater rescues conducted by Queensland Fire and Rescue swiftwater teams across the south-east region on Monday in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

The Sunshine Coast hinterland was inundated with flash flooding after 400 millimetres of rain fell in 12 hours overnight.

It’s also a timely reminder to not drive through flooded waters.

‘Please stay well away from swollen creeks and rivers, as rain continues to fall they may rise rapidly. Remember, if it’s flooded, forget it,’ Queensland Fire Department said.

Hundreds of NSW public schools will reopen tomorrow after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred forced them to close on Friday.

On Monday, 253 schools were still closed as the NSW Department of Education assessed damage to infrastructure and the safety of the premises.

Most of them are expected to reopen on Tuesday.

Schools that will remain closed tomorrow will be added to a department database by 6pm on Monday evening.

Flooding not seen since a devastating 2011 deluge has been forecast as rain continues to hammer southeast Queensland and northern NSW in ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s aftermath.

More than 200,000 people are without power across the affected areas, almost 48 hours after Alfred crossed the coast.

Rainfall totals have exceeded 400mm in some areas.

There are flood warnings for Brisbane, Logan, Gold Coast and Ipswich as swollen rivers and creeks threaten to break their banks.

The threat has also spread west of Brisbane with residents in the Lockyer Valley told to ‘take safe shelter’ due to Laidley Creek flooding.

Locals have been warned the creek could surpass January 2011 levels when flooding affected 75 per cent of the state, claiming more than 30 lives.

The Warrego Highway – a major arterial road connecting Brisbane and Toowoomba – is reportedly set to be closed for ‘some time’.

Authorities on Monday also doorknocked locals south of Brisbane, warning them of Albert River and Logan River flood warnings after weather affected telecommunications.

SES volunteers from interstate are set to arrive in Queensland on Monday, with more than 1,000 army personnel already assisting the recovery.

The SES has responded to almost 4,000 calls for help in Queensland alone.

‘That is the largest 24 hour period in the history of Queensland’s SES,’ Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said on Monday.

A number of evacuation centres have opened in Brisbane with major flood warnings also issued for the Bremer River near Ipswich and Scenic Rim’s Warrill Creek.

An exclusion zone has been lifted at Hervey Bay north of Brisbane after more than 200mm of rain fell in just hours, creating flash flooding.

‘We as yet don’t know the scale of the damage but we do have intel on the ground to suggest it is significant,’ the Premier said.

More than 700 schools across south-east Queensland remain closed but airports across the region have reopened with some bus services in Brisbane resuming.

Supermarkets in the affected areas are restocking supplies after panic buying stripped shelves bare last week.

Life has started to return to normal in some northern NSW towns.

In Lismore, where more than 1,000 homes were destroyed or damaged in the 2022 floods, most evacuation orders were lifted as water levels began to fall after coming close to breaching the town’s levee.

‘Many businesses in Lismore are getting ready to open their doors and trade as soon as possible, which is fantastic news,’ NSW Premier Chris Minns said on Monday.

The Clarence and Richmond Rivers are still being closely monitored despite falling water levels with heavy rain expected on Monday.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced disaster relief payments would be available from Tuesday afternoon.

The Prime Minister was tipped to go to the polls on April 12, requiring an announcement on Sunday or Monday to allow for the legally-mandated minimum 33 days of campaigning.

But, with Alfred heading for the Queensland and Northern NSW Coast threatening lives and homes, he was suddenly forced to abandon that plan late on Friday.

‘I have no intention of doing anything that distracts from what we need to do,’ grim-faced Mr Albanese told the ABC that evening.

‘And what we need to do is to look after each other at this difficult time. This is not a time for looking at politics.’

Madeleine West rung in International Women’s Day a little differently this year, flaunting her massive baby bump and sharing a moving message with her followers amid the devastation of Topical Cyclone Alfred.

The actress, 45, took to Instagram on Sunday to share a picture of her heavily pregnant belly while sharing a few words reflecting on ‘a rough few days’ braving the elements in Byron Bay.

Madeleine, who was dressed in a pink floral dress, captioned the post: ‘Seeking shelter and anticipating that this could be a repeat of the #2020 floods.’

Going through all the thoughts that crossed her mind, she wrote: ‘What would we be going home to? Would the house go under again?’

She went on: ‘No power, a fridge full of spoiled food. Fear. Exhaustion. An aching back from shifting valuables to safety.’

Opportunistic criminals are using the havoc of ex-Cyclone Alfred as a chance to loot homes and businesses after many fled impacted areas to shelter from the storm.

Footage from Queensland Police shows an officer chase down a 44-year-old man through murky storm water in Rocklea, Brisbane, at 11pm on Saturday night.

An anti-looting patrol spotted the man while investigating a car with false registration plates on a flooded road.

On entering the car, officers were alarmed to discover an axe, at least 10 sets of keys, drug utensils and housebreaking tools.

Severe thunderstorms: Parts of Wide Bay and Burnett.

Severe weather warnings: North West Slopes and Plains, Northern Tablelands, parts of Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast, Southeast Coast, parts of Wide Bay, Burnett, Darling Downs and Granite Belt.

Major flood warnings: Clarence River, Laidley Creek, Lockyer Creek, Bremer River (pictutred below), Warrill Creek, Logan River and Albert River.

Moderate flood warnings: Tweed River, Wilsons River, Clarence River, Macleay River, Orara River, Richmond River and Stanley River.

Minor flood warnings: Macleay River, Bellinger River, Kalang River, Orara River, Richmond River, Burrum River, Cherwell River, Mary River, Maroochy River, Noosa River, Upper Brisbane River, Brisbane River downstream of Wivenhoe Dam, and Upper Condamine River.

Flood warning: Nerang River and Coomera River.

Final flood warning: Cooper Creek, Brunswick River, Marshalls Creek, Nambucca River and Hastings River.

About 166,000 people have used the NSW Government’s Hazards Near Me app over the past week to keep up with the latest emergency information on ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

As the cyclone approached on Friday, the number of people using the app was almost four times higher than the average of 47,000.

The app allows users to set up a Watch Zone to personalise the information received with location-specific alerts and up-to-date warnings during a natural disaster. 

‘The NSW Government through our emergency services agencies is working to ensure people can access the most up-to-date information whenever and wherever they need it,’ Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib said.

Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson (pictured below) added: ‘We know this is an incredibly tough time, with many in the community still recovering from previous floods.

‘If you’re feeling overwhelmed, reach out – the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 is available 24/7.’

A regional Queensland city is bracing for major flooding.

The swollen Bremer River and Warrill Creek will lead to big problems in Ipswich, 39km southeast of Brisbane, the BoM said.

‘We are expecting more widespread flooding in that catchment leading to major flooding at Ipswich,’ a BoM spokesperson said.

‘The river levels (are) expected to get to the major flood level through Monday evening and rising further to about 12.35m overnight into Tuesday.’

The Bureau said Laidley Creek, in the Brisbane River catchment area, was also at major flood level after rainfall of up to 250mm in the area.

Ipswich City Council has issued a Flood Watch and Act Prepare to Leave alert.

The alert applies to Moores Pocket, One Mile, Leichhardt, Ipswich, West Ipswich and Rosewood.

Anthony Albanese says insurance companies should act quickly to settle claims from the ex-cyclone.

‘What I’ve said is that insurance companies need to do the right thing. They have a social licence and people expect them to make payments in a speedy and effective way when they are due.

‘This is a time when insurance companies can restore some of their reputation with the public by acting speedily, and we expect them to do so.

‘We are hoping of course that they do the right thing, if not we’ll give consideration to any measures that are required.’

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli says he’s prepared to call out insurers who do not pay out claims or raise premiums due to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

The Premier said he was concerned about rising insurance premiums, saying Queensland, as Australia’s most disaster-prone state, had been ‘pretty good’ to the insurance industry.

‘I will be prepared to call out insurers who aren’t good partners, in the short and long term,’ he said.

‘If you look over the last decades, there’s been a lot of people who have paid a lot of money to the insurance industry.

‘I think they owe it to those clients to be good corporate citizens in someone’s hour of need. And that relates to both ends of the state.’

Anthony Albanese has been slammed as he tours storm-ravaged communities, while Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has drawn praise.

The Prime Minister posted photos on X showing his visit to SES volunteers at the Tweed Heads headquarters on Monday.

‘SES from across the country have come to assist the local SES volunteers helping Australians through Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred,’ he wrote.

‘Everyone here at Tweed Heads HQ has been working around the clock to assist locals with everything from roof repairs to injuries.

‘And a few of these legends have come all the way from my local community in Marrickville to lend a hand.

‘Thank you for what you do.’

Social media users were quick to rip into the Prime Minister and accuse him of trying to score ‘cheap political points’.

‘Albo and the Labor crew exploiting a cyclone for cheap political points is a new low—shameless, cynical, and utterly disconnected from the Aussies actually suffering,’ one wrote.

‘What are you actually physically doing,’ another added.

‘Are you carrying stuff around, running out for lunches or just taking photos, getting in the way and posting this crap to the 70% of the population that loath you?’

A third chimed in: ‘Good to see our Premier, Mr Crusafulli, has everything under control. I don’t understand your trolling and milking of this situation.’

‘Well done Crisafulli,’ a fourth added. ‘Albo get out the way you embarrassing hack.’

Mr Crisafulli has been heaped with praise as he delivers regular updates on the unfolding situation in his state.

The Premier shared a post praising Queenslanders and health personnel for their tireless work, with many social media users also applauding his efforts.

‘That’s awesome you too David doing a great job.’

One resident made a candid admission: ‘I can’t stand you as a premier, but I think you have done an exceptional job during this crisis.’

Terrifying footage has captured floodwaters wreaking havoc in Nambour, in the Sunshine Coast region.

Residents claimed they had been cut off with roads completely inundated.

One video showed a major road underwater with cars stacked ontop of each other outside a Supercheap Auto.

Another showed SES crew on a boat carrying out an operation on a flooded road.

One driver surveyed the damage in their car around town with footage showing a car overturned onto its roof and public facilities destroyed by the rising waters.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expanded on the Disaster Recovery Allowance on Monday, explaining they would be available from 2pm on Tuesday.

‘Disaster relief payments will kick in from 2pm tomorrow afternoon,’ he told Sunrise.

‘What that does is provide for 13 weeks, or up to 13 weeks, of pay or full pay for those who’ve lost income in the affected Local Government Areas (LGAs).

‘There’s 31 (LGAs) across NSW and Queensland who are unable to go to work because their businesses are shut, or because of some of the road closures, some people just can’t get to work.

‘That will persist for some time.

‘It will be available to make those applications. People can log on to the MyGov website to check their eligibility for that.’

The 24 hours to 9am on Monday was the wettest day in Brisbane in 51 years, Weatherzone says.

A total of 275.2mm made it the city’s wettest 24-hour period since 314mm fell on January 26, 1974 – the year of the devastating Brisbane River floods in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Wanda.

The 24-hour period just passed was Brisbane’s fifth wettest day ever recorded.

‘The heaviest rain day in the city was January 21, 1887, with 465.1mm,’ Weatherzone reported.

A ‘disgusting’ dog owner has been slammed for abandoning more than 20 sick puppies and leaving them in squalor as ex-Cyclone Alfred closed in.

Animal group Lucky Paws Dog Rescue received a frantic message on Tuesday about the stranded dogs at a property on the Sunshine Coast.

The owner had left them behind as she vacated the property ahead of the storm making landfall on Saturday.

The rescue group had initially been told there were 12 dogs but, on arrival, staff discovered at least 22 – all of which were suffering ‘horrendous medical issues’.

More than 200,000 properties are still without power in Queensland, Premier David Crisafulli says.

It comes as Queensland SES received a record 3,676 calls for help in the past 24 hours.

‘That is the largest 24-hour period in the history of Queensland’s State Emergency Service,’ the Premier says.

‘I understand how much (being without electricity) has impacted you and the impacts on food, your family, your mental health, your ability to be able to stay connected.

‘Those crews are working around-the-clock and their priority, first and foremost, is to try to get this state back on its feet.

‘We assure you that getting power reconnected is at the top of our list right now.’

Mr Crisafulli said 140,000 homes and businesses had their power restored by Monday morning.

Sewage is flowing in Brisbane’s floodwaters after untreated wastewater was released into the city’s river.

The release, at Morningside in the city’s south, is due to works to replace major pipes inside the Bulimba-Hamilton Siphon – one of Brisbane’s main wastewater pipes.

The siphon consists of two wastewater pipes inside a tunnel, which stretches 600m under the river from Bulimba to Hamilton, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

It transports the wastewater of about 150,000 people from south Brisbane under the river to the Eagle Farm Sewage Pump Station.

From there, it’s pumped to the Luggage Point Resource Recovery Centre to be treated.

The pipes are nearly 70 years old.

‘As part of our planning for the future, we’re replacing the pipes inside the tunnel,’ an Urban Utilities spokeswoman said.

‘While one of two pipes in the siphon tunnel is offline for pipe replacement works, excess wet weather flows are being managed through a temporary emergency relief point.’

People should avoid contact with the Brisbane River between Vic Lucas Park at Bulimba and Colmslie Beach Reserve at Murarrie.

About 10,000 properties in northern NSW are still without power as of late Monday morning, with 6,000 in Tweeds Head and Murwillumbah.

Essential Energy crews are working to restore power in the Northern Rivers region, but outages are affecting residents from Tweed Heads down to Grafton and west to Armidale.

The aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred is still causing difficulties for crews.

‘Helicopters are being used where possible to survey remote areas of the network to help identify the damage before plans can be made on how to safely access the locations,’ Essential Energy said.

‘Some locations will require special equipment and climbing crews due to the nature of the terrain which won’t be able to proceed until the weather has cleared.

‘Unfortunately, a tree has come down on a power line that has caused Mount Nardi (near Nimbin) to lose power again after teams restored it last night.’

SES crews are rescuing people driving through floodwaters near Lismore after the evacuation order was lifted on Sunday.

A crew had to wade through floods near the swollen Wilsons River at nearby Loftville to rescue a man after his car got stuck.

SES flood rescue operator Nick Rose said while the operation was straightforward, motorists shouldn’t ignore repeat warnings not to drive through floodwaters.

‘It doesn’t take much. Cars float with quite low levels of water and once you stop, you usually can’t get going again,’ he told the ABC.

‘This (incident) was quite fortunate in that the water wasn’t moving too quickly.

‘The cyclone has died down so people are starting to get out and about and get back to their usual activities, and unfortunately that often means that people start to do these things again.’

‘Northern NSW could still be hit with flash flooding and thunderstorms, the NSW Emergency Minister says.

‘It is really important to recognise that while we are talking about the movement of evacuation orders, say, in Lismore, at the same time we still have other places that are at risk of flash flooding, a risk of a storm, a risk of (high) wind,’ Jihad Dib said on Monday morning.

The Bureau of Meteorology said the risk of heavy rain was receding as the weather system moved west, but clear skies wouldn’t been seen until Wednesday or Thursday.

NSW Emergency Services minister Jihad Dib is pictured (right) with NSW Premier Chris Minns

Nearly half of the Gold Coast’s traffic lights aren’t working, the mayor says.

Mayor Tom Tate urged people to be careful on the roads.’Take your time out there,’ he said on Monday morning.

He also told the ABC that about 70,000 people are still without power in the region.

He added there were three separate floodwater rescues overnight.

Heavy rain is continuing to lash northern NSW but will start to ease on Monday afternoon.

‘The risk of heavy rains and heavy totals is really just this morning and afternoon, so that is some good news,’ the BoM’s Jane Golding says.

‘We are expecting rain to ease from this afternoon, but still not clear most likely until Thursday or Friday.’

The Bureau is expecting thunderstorm activity in Lismore and the western slopes of the ranges.

Brisbane sporting clubs are facing costly repairs after kids further damaged their fields in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Alfred has battered south-east Queensland with rainfall exceeding 400mm in some areas.

While many are facing devastation from the weather event, others in Brisbane have been trying to look look on the bright side with children riding their boogie boards on waterlogged sporting fields.

But sporting clubs are demanding they stop because they are causing thousands of dollars of damage.

A local parent posted an image of children having fun at Mitchelton Football Club in Brisbane’s inner north-west, but quickly drew fire from the club.

‘I chased so many kids off the grounds yesterday and today as have other Mitchelton FC staff,’ a club member posted in reply.

‘Hundreds of thousands of dollars goes into the maintenance of those fields for 10 minutes of fun ruining them.’

Residents of the Lockyer Valley in south-east Queensland have been told to take shelter now as heavy rain and dangerous flooding is expected in the coming hours.

‘Until the weather event has passed you are urged to shelter in place if safe to do so,’ Queensland Police says.

‘Warn neighbours, secure belongings and stay off the roads.’

In January 2011, an ‘inland tsunami’ devastated the Lockyer Valley.

Twelve people died in the disaster as the town of Grantham was hit with raging floodwaters.

Southeast Queensland and northern NSW will take a long time to fully recover after being hit by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, Emergency Management Minister Jenny McAllister says.

‘We expect the insurance sector to look out for their customers and meet the expectations that the community have for this sector,’ she said on Monday morning.

‘We know that recovery will be long when we have events at this scale, we start with what people need, but we move quickly to clean up and trying to repair damage, and the insurance sector is part of that.

‘We want them to play a constructive role, and we expect that they will.’

Emergency Management Minister Jenny McAllister (in red coat) is pictured with Anthony Albanese and soldiers during a visit to the Gallipoli Barracks on March 9 in Brisbane

Severe storm cells are forming just north of Brisbane, the Bureau of Meteorology warns.

‘Very dangerous thunderstorms, likely to produce intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding were detected near the area west of Esk, the area north-west of Esk, Rosevale and the area north of Kilkivan,’ the BoM said at 7.40am (AEST).

‘These thunderstorms are moving towards the south to south-east. They are forecast to affect Gatton, Esk and the ranges between Gympie and Murgon by 8.10am and Laidley, the area south of Esk and the area northeast of Kingaroy by 8.40am.’

A missing teenager has been found ‘safe and well’ as ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues to wreak havoc.

Caleb had been last seen at a home on Burdekin Road in Logan Reserve, 40km south of Brisbane, at about 11pm on Sunday night.

The 18-year-old was seen playing in a drain before heading out again.

He was found on Monday morning.

A flood warning has been issued for areas including Logan.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has warned that the worst of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred is not yet over.

He said about 17 people had been rescued overnight and the SES had been called to ‘over 300 jobs in a little over a few hours’.

‘My message is simple, we’re not through the worst just yet. (There is) a bit more rain to come. If you stay connected, I have every faith we will get through this,’ he said on Monday morning.

The Premier urged residents to take precautions.

‘My message is just to be careful. Don’t go driving through flooded water. Do the little things right and you’ll get through this.

‘There’s Queenslanders who have only just been impacted now. There’s Queenslanders who are out there cleaning up their yards, and there’s others who may have had limited damage. So we’re making sure we can cater for different people at different stages.’

Mr Crisafulli added that ‘there will be parts of the broader area where it is safe for people to go to school and go back to work, and we’re giving every opportunity for that to occur’.

‘But my message today, and we do have a bit of rain left to go, is overwhelmingly you must always put your safety first. That’s number one in a disaster. Property can be replaced, people can’t.’

Anthony Albanese has been questioned about the Australian Defence Force’s involvement in disaster response after a horror rollover left 13 soldiers in hospital during an ex-Cyclone Alfred operation in Lismore.

Sunrise host Natalie Barr put it to the Prime Minister that there was a government review in 2023 which found that the ADF wasn’t structured to act as a domestic disaster recovery agency.

‘How are you feeling about that right now?’ she asked him on Monday morning.
‘What it said was unless there was an emergency. I tell you what, behind me is an emergency. You’ve all seen the pictures,’ Mr Albanese replied.

‘This was one where we needed to use every asset at our disposal, and yesterday, when I was at the barracks, thanking the fine men and women of the Australian Defence Force, you know what, they were so proud of what they are doing.

‘And they’re right to be proud. They have vehicles and assets that just simply aren’t available in civil infrastructure.’

The Prime Minister said councils on the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Logan ‘just don’t have the sort of vehicles’ that have provided assistance.

He added that it was a ‘good job’ the government had established NEMA, the National Emergency Management Agency, which ‘simply didn’t exist when we came to office’.

‘They have provided the national coordination which has worked hand in hand with David Crisafulli’s government and Chris Minns’ government and all of the mayors of the respective councils.’

He said that he will be visiting flood-ravaged northern NSW with Defence Minister Richard Marles.

A man has been charged following an alleged assault that left another man with facial injuries at an evacuation centre on Dalley Street at Mullumbimby, in north NSW, at 8pm on Sunday.

A 26-year-old was treated at the scene and taken to hospital in a stable condition.

‘On arrival, officers attached to Tweed/Byron Police District were told two men had allegedly been involved in an altercation,’ a NSW Police spokeswoman said.

The insurance bill left behind by ex-Cyclone Alfred is expected to be more than $2billion.

ING’s head of consumer and marketing insights Matt Bowen made the revelation on Sunrise on Monday morning.

AMP chief economist Shane Oliver added the cyclone would cost the economy about $1.1billion a day.

The NSW Police have released details of the rescue of a man from flood waters on the state’s mid-north coast on the weekend.

At about 8pm on Saturday, emergency services were called to Missabotti Road, Missabotti – about 30km north-west of Nambucca Heads – following reports a man had been washed away by flood waters.

On arrival, officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District were told a 71-year-old man had attempted to cross flood waters in a Toyota Landcruiser, but the vehicle failed to cross and was swept downstream.

The man was located in the water nearby, holding onto the rear of the vehicle which was pinned near some large trees.

Local police together with SES personnel, Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Ambulance officers attended and began an operation to retrieve him from the water.

A lifejacket was able to be successfully floated to the man before the arrival of an SES Swift Water Rescue Team, which completed the rescue with an inflatable raft.

The man was assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics and did not require any medical treatment.

The incident has prompted police to remind all residents who have been affected by the weather event and flooding to stay safe by never driving through floodwaters, and to always follow signs or directions from emergency services.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has urged residents to avoid travel when necessary and pay attention to evacuation orders.

Mr Crisafulli said some schools may be reopening on Monday, but urged families to use caution and avoid going out if it was too dangerous.

‘Don’t go crossing flooded water to get to a school,’ he said.

‘There will be parts of the broader area where it is safe for people to go to school and go back to work.

‘But my message today, and we do have a bit of rain left to go, is overwhelmingly you must always put your safety first.

‘That’s number one in a disaster. Property can be replaced, people can’t.’

Mr Crisafulli also told residents to pay attention to major flood warnings and be prepared to flee to higher ground.

‘If you’re in one of those areas where there’s a major flood warning, know your area, know the risk,’ he said.

‘If you’re subject to those creek flooding, the flash flooding, and you might have had an emergency alert, it’s the same scenario.

‘Know your plan, stay connected to those warnings, make sure you know where higher ground is in the event you need to.’

Sunrise host Nat Barr reignited debate about the role of the Australian Defence Force during natural disasters on Monday.

It came after Independent senator Jacqui Lambie claimed on Sunday the ADF should be the last port of call, instead of the first.

She suggested a ‘Climate Army’ should be established instead and explained it would be a group made up of regular citizens.

Environment minister Tanya Plibersek argued on Monday the ‘ADF are the best people to do some of the real heavy lifting’.

‘They have got the equipment and the personnel and as the defence minister said they are proud of the work that they do and we are proud of the work that they do,’ she said.

Thousands have been left stranded as floodwaters cut off evacuation routes across northern NSW.

The State Emergency Service said 1,800 are already isolated while another 18,500 have been warned to prepare to be cut off.

‘Along the Richmond River, residents at Bungawalbin have been advised it is too late to leave the area and to seek refuge at higher ground due to major flooding. Major flooding is also occurring at Coraki,’ an update read.

NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Sean Kearns said he was relieved to see some weather warnings had been downgraded over the weekend, but the worst was yet to come for many.

‘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,’ he said.

‘We may see renewed river rises, but we’re hoping we have seen the worst of the rain from this event.’

Emergency flood warnings have been issued across south-east Queensland and northern NSW.

Major flood warnings have been issued for Bremer River and Warrill Creek, as well as Laidley Creek.

Moderate flood warnings have been issued for Lockyer Creek and Logan and Albert River.

Major flooding is possible along the Tweed River at Tumbulgum.

Minor flooding is occurring at Murwillumbah and Chinderan.

The NSW State Emergency Service has issued a severe weather warning for Lismore and Tamworth.

Heavy rainfall is forecast for the towns, which could also lead to flash flooding in Armidale, Gunnedah, Moree and Narrabri.

Hundreds of schools across south-east Queensland and northern NSW will remain shut on Monday as ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues to cause havoc.

Queensland schools unscathed by the storm will reopen only if it’s safe to do so.

‘Where it’s safe to do so, schools will reopen with the exception of the Gold Coast,’ Premier David Crisafulli said.

More than 680 state, Catholic and indepedent schools in Queensland will remain closed on Monday. Full list here.

An additional 255 schools also remain shut in northern NSW. Full list here.

‘As the full impact of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues to unfold and clean-up efforts begin to get under way, our priority is ensuring the safety of students and staff,’ NSW education minister Prue Car said.

The NSW closues could delay the start of NAPLAN tests for public school students in years 3,5,7 and 9.

The NAPLAN tests are scheduled to take place from Wednesday, March 12 to Monday, March 24.

Almost 224,000 homes and businesses across south-east Queensland were still without power early Monday morning, according to the Energex website.

Gold Coast was the worst hit region with 72,694 customers impacted, followed by Brisbane (45,106), Redland City (34,907), Moreton Bay (34, 060) and Logan (30, 342).

It comes after Energex crews worked around the clock to restore power to 100,000 properties across the region on Sunday

‘While it’s a relief to be making headway, we’re also acutely conscious that it continues to be a long, hard slog for others, some of whom were hit in the first early waves of #TCAlfred,’ it said.

‘We have teams working around the clock, and tomorrow we’ll build on today’s gains – we just need the weather to work with us, and for flooding to hold off.’