Ex-Cyclone Alfred: storm reaches mainland near Brisbane; defence personnel ‘seriously’ injured in collision – as it happened
PM says some ADF personnel ‘seriously’ injured in crash
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and the deputy PM, Richard Marles, have released a joint statement on the crash near Lismore involving two army trucks which has left 36 injured.
The pair said a number of ADF personnel had been injured, “some seriously”.
Medical assistance is on hand. We stress this is an ongoing incident.
Right now our focus is on the welfare of those involved and their families. Our ADF heroes were on their way to help Australians in need.
Key events
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Alfred reaches mainland Queensland
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Closing summary
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13 of 36 involved in Lismore crash injured
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Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred: what we know so far
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Ex-TC Alfred expected to cross Bribie Island coast in ‘next hour or two’
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PM says some ADF personnel ‘seriously’ injured in crash
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Two ADF trucks collided in crash near Lismore, police confirm
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More than 30 injured in road accident involving defence vehicle at Lismore
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Early evening update
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Body located during search for man missing in NSW flood waters
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Some East Bellingen residents urged to move to higher ground
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Queensland premier provides ex-cyclone update
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Flooding in Lismore – in photos
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Man charged with allegedly threatening emergency service workers in NSW
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Half of Tweed residents without power, mayor says
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Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred damage – in pictures
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36 flood rescues in NSW, mostly for people driving on roads
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Power restored to 17,000 properties in NSW, Essential Energy says
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Qantas working to restart flights at Brisbane, Gold Coast and Maroochydore
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Mid-afternoon update
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Flooding at Lismore no longer expected to reach height of CBD levee
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150 intersection signals down on Gold Coast
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Four taken to hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning
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Gold Coast mayor reportedly back in Australia
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Search continues for man missing in NSW flood waters
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Full power restoration could take ‘longer than a week’, Energex says
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Nearly 300,000 without power in Queensland alone
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Polls open as WA Labor eyes win, but may shed 11 seats
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Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred showing ‘a little bit of movement now’, BoM says
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Midday update
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Police unable to find man missing in floodwaters
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More than 42,000 without power in NSW and 250,000 without power in Queensland
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NSW energy minister says it could be ‘several days’ until power restored
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PM says downgrade no reason for complacency
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Albanese says there is ‘worse to come’ in hours ahead
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Mid-morning recap
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Queensland experiences power outages equal to ‘single biggest loss in over a decade’
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Fears south Lismore levee about to break
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Alfred downgraded to a tropical low
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Summary for those waking up
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Bureau of Meteorology gives cyclone update
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Landfall could be delayed again after storm heads north
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Tropical Cyclone Alfred moving slowly towards land, BoM says
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Latest BoM update says storm has speeded up again
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214,000 customers withpout power in Queensland, Energex says
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Alfred’s wind speeds drop again
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Updated tracker map says landfall will be at 6am
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Cyclone Alfred weakens to category one storm
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Take shelter advice for Brisbane residents
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Flood warning for Currumbin in Gold Coast
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Bureau of Meteorology publishes latest update
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Cyclone reaches edge of North Stradbroke Island
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Almost 100,000 Queensland and NSW properties without power
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Cyclone Alfred forces PM to abandon plans to call election this weekend
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BoM’s latest forecast
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Emergency alert issued for coastal areas of the Gold Coast
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Man missing after being swept from tree into flood waters, northern NSW
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Health staff to camp out at hospitals during cyclone
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Cyclone Alfred still a category 2, BoM says
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‘Take shelter now in the strongest part of the building’: emergency alert for Moreton Bay islands
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‘Everyone should stay home’, Gold Coast acting mayor says
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Woman attacked by shark in Sydney’s south
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75,000 remain without power across south-east Queensland and northern NSW
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Brisbane man’s car trapped by e-scooters ahead of cyclone
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Brisbane lord mayor giving cyclone update
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Insurance council anticipating ‘very large number of claims’
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Brisbane streets empty ahead of cyclone
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TC Alfred system stretches from Bundaberg to Sydney
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‘Move to higher ground’ emergency alerts issued in NSW
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RSPCA issues warning over stressed koalas in TC Alfred
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People should evacuate in ‘next few hours’ if they haven’t already
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29,000 NSW dwellings under evacuation orders
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NSW premier addressing reporters
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Two people rescued from Currumbin Valley home after tree fell on house
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Bureau provides key updates on TC Alfred status
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Queensland premier addressing media
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New Brighton residents in low-lying properties urged to ‘evacuate now’
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Timelapse: satellite shows Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s path as it approaches coast
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Airservices Australia warns of nationwide delays if cyclone causes reduced staffing levels
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PM hits back at criticism Labor whipping up cash for budget night fundraisers
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43,000 without power in NSW
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NSW power outages likely to last for days and more people could be affected
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Rescues already occurring in NSW as people drive through flood waters
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NSW authorities providing cyclone update
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Alfred track maps now being updated every hour
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Nearly 75,000 without power across Queensland and NSW
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‘Evacuate now’ warning for South Golden beach near Byron
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‘Bin chooks rule’ Brisbane’s deserted city centre
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PM says 120 ADF personnel heading ‘immediately’ to help in NSW
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Four million people likely ‘directly affected’ by storm – Nema
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Updated TC Alfred tracking map released
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Federal Labor scores first poll win in eight months
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Qantas head provides update on airline closures, timeline for resumption of flights
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Teen charged after dramatic Jetstar confrontation
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Queensland premier urges people not to enter surf
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NSW SES issues safety tips as Alfred approaches
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Widespread power outages as TC Alfred brings gale-force winds
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Evacuation order in northern NSW
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More on Alfred’s movement through the night
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Good morning
Alfred reaches mainland Queensland
The Bureau of Meteorology says the centre of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred reached mainland Queensland above Brisbane around 9pm local time. The Bom says the tropical low is now expected to move inland more rapidly overnight tonight while weakening.
The Bom is still warning that damaging wind gusts are occurring about Moreton Bay and extending into some northern Brisbane suburbs due to a southeasterly wind surge interacting with the ex-tropical cyclone.
It says “heavy rainfall is likely to continue over southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales during the weekend”.
Closing summary
That’s it from me, Hamish Mackay, and my Guardian colleagues for the evening. We’re pausing our live coverage. Thanks for reading.
Here is a summary of what we know so far about ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred:
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The centre of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred made landfall around 8pm local time over Bribie Island, and moved west onto the mainland around 9pm, according to the BoM’s latest update. The bureau says the storm is expected to move inland more rapidly overnight while weakening.
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More than 350,000 properties are without power across Queensland and NSW as ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred hit eastern Australia.
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Energex has indicated that full power restoration may take more than a week for south-east Queensland, where about 321,600 properties remain without power.
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In northern NSW, roughly 31,000 are impacted by power outages.
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Emergency services have been responding to a collision between two army trucks near Lismore. Some 36 people were involved, 13 of whom were injured.
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Government minister Matt Keogh said he could not provide further details on the injured as it was an “evolving situation”.
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Heavy rainfall is set to continue across south-east Queensland and northern NSW during the weekend. Both regions are on high alert for flooding, particularly at Lismore.
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In NSW, dozens of emergency warnings remain in place, with thousands under evacuation notices. Only one emergency warning remains in place for Queensland.
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The body of a man has been found in NSW, believed to be that of a 61-year-old who was swept into flood waters near Dorrigo yesterday afternoon.
To those in the impacted areas, please take care and look after yourself, and those around you.
Labor clinches victory to govern for third term in Western Australia
Away from the cyclone, Labor will govern for a third term in Western Australia, with the Liberal Party failing to attract the swing required to threaten Roger Cook’s majority.
Polls predicted a 12-13 per cent swing could put up to 11 seats in reach of the Liberal Party.
AAP reports that, with eight per cent of the vote counted, Labor had held the crucial seats of South Perth, Bateman and Scarborough, falling well short of the 30 seats it needed to win government.
ABC election analyst Antony Green said there was nothing to indicate anything other than the Labor Party being re-elected.
“The current lead they have in terms of votes being narrowed, but it is clear the government has been re-elected.
“The Labor Party will be re-elected, that is what I will say.”
13 of 36 involved in Lismore crash injured
We reported earlier that 36 people were involved in a road accident involving Australian Defence Force vehicles at Lismore, in northern New South Wales.
Initial reports suggested the majority of those involved had sustained injuries, but that has now been clarified.
Of the 36 Brisbane-based military personnel involved in the incident, 13 were injured, Australian government minister Matt Keogh said.
Keogh provided no details on what had happened or the injuries, but told Sky News:
These were people that were sent down to Lismore to assist those that are being impacted by floods and the effect of the cyclone there. And we thank all of the personnel, our Defence Force personnel, emergency services and others that are providing that assistance.
The 13 have been injured. I can’t give an update on the nature of those injuries, as you’ll appreciate. It’s an evolving situation. They’re being cared for at the moment and being provided assistance in various establishments to do that.
And we’re providing updates and support to their family members as well. And we’ll provide further updates tomorrow as we’re able to do that.
Downing Street issues statement on Albanese call
We reported earlier on the PM’s phone call with UK counterpart Keir Starmer. Downing Street has now issued this statement:
The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese this morning.
The Prime Minister began by expressing his support for all Australians effected by the Cyclone and paid tribute to the strength of the partnership between the two countries.
The leaders agreed to stay in touch.
Jump in number of people in NSW and Queensland without power
According to Energex, some 293,780 homes and businesses in Queensland are now without power due to Alfred.
In NSW the latest figure is 31,000, meaning more than 324,000 properties are without power across both states.
New evacuation order issued in NSW
The New South Wales State Emergency Service has issued an evacuation order for areas impacted by flooding.
People rural areas along Yellow Rock Road and properties along Mylestom Drive should leave now before evacuation routes become blocked, NSW SES said.
It added:
Based on the predictions from the Bureau of Meteorology, rainfall associated with Ex. Tropical Cyclone Alfred may cause rapid river rises and extensive flooding.
Heavy and locally intense rainfall is continuing into the weekend over Northern NSW. Flash flooding is possible.
This event may change quickly. NSW SES will monitor the situation and update warnings if the situation changes.
For more information on what you need to do, click here.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred – in pictures
Here are some of the latest images we’ve been sent by news agency photographers:
UK prime minister offers sympathy in call with Albanese
Anthony Albanese says he has spoken with his UK counterpart, Keir Starmer, this evening. The pair spoke about AUKUS, Ukraine and the cyclone.
On X, the prime minister posted:
Thank you for your sympathy for the impact of Cyclone Alfred.
Heavy rainfall is now the ‘real threat’, officials say
While the worst of the destructive winds may have been avoided, Bureau of Meteorology manager Matt Collopy has warned Alfred is likely to track west across the Australian mainland in the coming days, bringing heavy rain.
Collopy told reporters:
The real threat now is from that locally heavy-to-intense rainfall, which may lead to flash and riverine flooding.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred: what we know so far
Emily Wind
Many thanks for joining me on the blog this evening. I’ll be handing the reins over to Hamish Mackay, who will continue to bring you the latest into the night.
Here is where the ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred situation is now at:
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The tropical low is slowly approaching the coast at Bribie Island, with a crossing expected “in the next hour or two”.
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The Bureau of Meteorology expects it to move west and cross the Queensland mainland between Maroochydore and Caboolture this evening.
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Emergency services have been responding to a collision between two army trucks near Lismore, where 36 have been reported as injured.
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Heavy rainfall is set to continue across south-east Queensland and northern NSW during the weekend. Both regions are on high alert for flooding, particularly at Lismore.
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In NSW, dozens of emergency warnings remain in place, with thousands under evacuation notices. Only one emergency warning remains in place for Queensland.
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Energex has indicated that full power restoration may take more than a week for south-east Queensland, where about 262,000 properties remain without power.
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In northern NSW, roughly 31,000 are impacted by power outages.
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The body of a man has been found in NSW, believed to be that of a 61-year-old who was swept into flood waters near Dorrigo yesterday afternoon.
To those in the impacted areas, please take care and look after yourself, and those around you.
Ex-TC Alfred expected to cross Bribie Island coast in ‘next hour or two’
The Bureau of Meteorology has released an updated tracking map for ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
It says the system is slowly approaching the coast at Bribie Island, “with a crossing expected in the next hour or two”.
The system is now located 60km north-east of Brisbane and 45km south-east of Maroochydore, and is slow moving.
Heavy rainfall is forecast to continue over south-east Queensland and north-east NSW through the weekend as ex-TC Alfred crosses the mainland coast “this evening and moves slowly inland”.
The system crossed Moreton Island as a category one system just after midnight this morning, and weakened to a tropical low at 6am.
About 286,000 without power across NSW and Queensland
Let’s check in on the power outages across south-east Queensland and northern NSW.
According to Energex, 255,590 properties remained without power in south-east Queensland. The most impacted LGA was the Gold Coast, which accounted for 131,967 of the outages.
In NSW, about 31,000 properties from Tweeds Heads through to Grafton were without power, according to Essential Energy.
This means across both states about 286,000 remained in the dark.
PM and emergency minister express condolences after man dies in NSW floods
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has sent his condolences to the family of a 61-year-old man who died in flood waters near Dorrigo, in northern NSW.
Tragic news out of New South Wales this evening with confirmation a man has died in floodwaters near Dorrigo. Our thoughts are with his loved ones and the community at this heartbreaking time.
The emergency management minister, Jenny McAllister, has also issued a statement after the news:
Deeply saddened to hear that authorities have confirmed a man has died in floodwaters near Dorrigo. Our thoughts are with his loved ones and his community.
Dutton sends ‘thoughts, prayers and gratitude’ to injured defence personnel
Peter Dutton says he is “deeply concerned” by reports that defence personnel have been seriously injured in a crash while assisting with flood recovery near Lismore.
In a post to social media, the opposition leader wrote:
The ADF is at the forefront of Australia’s disaster response, bravely stepping into danger to protect and support communities.
Our thoughts, prayers and gratitude are with them, their families, and their fellow personnel. Wishing all those injured a full and speedy recovery.
Defence confirms a number of personnel providing support in Lismore injured in crash
The Australian defence force has issued a statement on the crash involving two of its vehicles near Lismore this afternoon.
It confirmed that a number of personnel who were providing community support in Lismore amid ex-TC Alfred were injured in the collision.
The welfare of ADF members and their families is a priority and defence’s focus is on supporting those involved.
Due to the developing nature of the incident, no further information will be available at this time, however defence will provide further updates when possible.
