Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs “It is only just starting really from a flooding perspective because … for many places [Sunday] is going to be the wettest day, or maybe even into the start of next week.“A lot of people might be thinking, ‘oh there’s not too much rain yet’, but the rivers are swollen, the catchments are wet, the ground is wet, and we’re expecting significant rainfall over the next 48 hours or so, so significant flood impacts are still to come and very, very likely.”In the 24 hours to 4pm on Saturday, the NSW SES responded to 1117 incidents, including 29 flood rescues, numerous fallen trees, downed powerlines and flash flooding.The ex-tropical cyclone is making its way north-west at a speed of 6km/h and brings intense rainfall. Credit: weatherzoneAbout 320,000 homes across northern NSW and South East Queensland remained without power on Saturday evening. More than 300 schools in NSW’s north will remain closed on Monday.About 20,000 residents were under evacuation warnings. Flood advice warnings extend as far south as Taree and as far west as Coonamble, north of Dubbo.However, the cyclone continued to weaken in strength as it approached the mainland, with wind speeds dropping to 55 kilometres per hour, down from a previous high of 155km/h.While the cyclone’s waning brought a sense of cautious optimism to some residents in Alfred’s path, authorities were at pains to stress it could still bring life-threatening risks in the coming daysSpeaking from Lismore, NSW Premier Chris Minns said the region was “not out of the woods”.“The rivers are full. The rain is continuing and expected to keep falling in the days ahead, and wind conditions are very high and extreme, particularly on the coast,” he said.NSW Premier Chris Minns and Lismore residents watch the river rise at the Browns Creek Pumping Station.Credit: Nick Moir“Lots of communities have had an incredibly stressful week while they’ve been waiting for this cyclone to move through. And I want to assure them that the flood response, that the cyclone response, has been for the entire Northern Rivers, stretching down into the Coffs region.”NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Nicole Hogan urged people in areas subject to emergency warnings not to become complacent.Loading“It is not currently safe for people to return, until the warnings are lifted and the threat of heavy rain and flooding has passed.”Alfred hovered about 20 kilometres off Australia’s east coast for much of Saturday afternoon, after it was downgraded from a category 1 cyclone after it struck Bribie Island, north of Brisbane, earlier in the day.It crossed the mainland between Maroochydore and Brisbane at 9pm on Saturday, bringing gale-force winds to many Brisbane residents.On Saturday, major flood warnings were issued for the Tweed, Richmond, Wilsons, Brunswick, Orara, Clarence and Bellinger rivers in NSW.Lismore received more than 132 millimetres of rain on Saturday, on top of Friday’s 147 millimetres.Moderate flooding was occurring at Lismore by Saturday afternoon, and residents were warned to brace for possible major flooding as the evening progressed.However, authorities were hopeful the crucial Wilsons River levee bank would hold.The still-reeling Northern Rivers town was devastated by record flooding in 2022, with floodwaters reaching 14.4 metres.State Emergency Service Commissioner Mike Wassing labelled Saturday “D-Day” for the state.“Today, effectively, is D-Day. Irrespective of the crossing of the cyclone currently in Queensland, we’re still seeing very strong winds, but more importantly, we’re still seeing very heavy rainfalls, and therefore river rises, flash flooding and continued inundation of many areas,” he said.NSW Deputy Premier Prue Car said the region was dealing with “several disasters at once”, with heavy wind, rainfall and subsequent flash flooding.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has acknowledged the mental health challenges posed by the extreme weather event.Credit: Alex EllinghausenPrime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Saturday morning that residents in the region would experience “lasting” mental health issues as a result of forecast flooding and evacuations.“Some of these communities have copped it time and time again, and that just makes it so tough for people who’ve rebuilt and recovered and who then find another wave of trauma heading their way along with the cyclone,” he said.LoadingOn Saturday evening, police found the body of a man swept into floodwaters near Dorrigo on Friday.The man was driving across a bridge in his 4WD about 2pm. He initially managed to get out of the vehicle and secure himself to a tree about 30 metres from the river bank. However, he was swept away about 3pm.Twenty-one evacuation centres remained open in NSW, which had received nearly 750 people.Minister for the North Coast Rose Jackson said there had been significant challenges at evacuation centres as road closures hindered restocking. The M1 Motorway reopened in both directions near the Queensland border on Saturday morning.The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.
