Focus on the BIG picture.
Saturday, Aug 15, 2026

Queensland and Northern NSW Recover from Severe Weather as Floodwaters Recede

Queensland and Northern NSW Recover from Severe Weather as Floodwaters Recede

Emergency alerts cancelled and power restoration efforts continue in the aftermath of significant flooding.
Queensland is beginning to recover from severe weather events, with Premier David Crisafulli announcing the easing of rainfall and receding river levels, leading to the cancellation of emergency alerts statewide.

However, nearly 118,000 of the 450,000 homes that were without electricity during the adverse weather remain without power.

Energex, the local electricity company, is reportedly working tirelessly to restore power to affected households.

During a media briefing in Gold Coast, Premier Crisafulli emphasized the importance of the recovery phase, stating, "That is a significant amount," referring to the ongoing power outages affecting many families and businesses.

The state has been transitioning from response to recovery activities, with officials hopeful that the worst of the severe weather has passed.

Severe flooding resulted from the passage of an ex-tropical cyclone, causing rivers such as the Logan River at Beaudesert to peak above major flood levels at 10.72 meters.

Meanwhile, the Albert River at Beenleigh reached a peak of 6.02 meters, and the Bremer River peaked at 11.47 meters.

Although these rivers have begun to fall, the effects of the flooding are still being felt.

Significant rainfall figures have been reported across the region, with Upper Springbrook receiving the highest at 1,146mm, while Brisbane city recorded 513mm.

The cessation of emergency alerts provides a measure of relief for many residents, allowing them to start assessing the damage.

Following the extreme weather, 360 state schools reopened, enabling more than half of Queensland's school children to return to classes, subsequently aiding their parents in returning to everyday routines.

Premier Crisafulli noted that the reopening of schools increases access to essential services like healthcare.

The transport network continues to face challenges, with major roads, including the Warrego Highway, cut off at certain points.

Efforts are underway to clear blockages, with some routes, including the Cunningham Highway, having reopened.

While bus services are not fully operational, train services are currently maintaining a limited schedule.

In Ipswich, located east of Brisbane, major flooding impacted the area, but Mayor Teresa Harding expressed relief, stating, "It felt like we dodged a bullet," while noting that some families and businesses are still coping with flooding.

A full damage assessment is underway, with the local government emphasizing community support.

In northern New South Wales, evacuation centres are expected to close as the flood threat diminishes and waters recede.

Emergency crews in the Tweed region are conducting damage assessments, with several properties already classified as uninhabitable due to water damage.

Although major flood warnings have been lifted for many areas, approximately 7,500 homes and businesses remain without power

The Queensland government announced that six community recovery hubs will be established across south-east Queensland to assist residents affected by the disasters, aiming to provide the necessary support during this recovery phase.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Major US Technology Companies Agree to Voluntary AI Training Data Framework
US Transportation Department Awards $1.5 Billion for Regional Rail Modernization
Federal Reserve Warns Regional Banks Face Commercial Real Estate Refinancing Risks
US Energy Department Guarantees $2 Billion Loan for Advanced Battery Plant
NOAA Tracks Two Developing Tropical Systems in Central Atlantic
FCC Tightens Rules to Combat AI Voice-Cloning Scams Targeting Older Americans
HHS Provides Emergency Funding as Pediatric RSV Hospitalizations Rise
US Safety Regulators Launch National Inquiry Into Commercial Autonomous Vehicle Fleets
SEC Warns Companies Over AI Disclosure and Compliance Risks
FAA Imposes Temporary Flight Restrictions Along Parts of Southern Border
Monsoon Flooding Causes More Than $700 Million in Agricultural Losses
EPA Announces Cleanup Milestones for Kerr-McGee Superfund Site in North Carolina
US Central Command Launches Multinational Drone Defense Task Force in Middle East
Federal Judge Dismisses Antisemitism Lawsuit Against Harvard University
Congress Demands DOJ and FBI Briefings on Foreign Influence Investigations
Karoline Leavitt Announces Departure as White House Press Secretary
ICE Plans $20 Million Procurement of Electrified Restraint Gloves
ACLU Challenges Trump Administration Birthright Citizenship Restrictions
Federal Judge Blocks USPS From Implementing Mail-In Voting Changes
US Consumer Sentiment Falls 7.6 Percent as Inflation and Energy Costs Weigh on Households
US Thirty-Year Treasury Yields Reach Highest Level in Twenty-Five Years
Trump Dismisses Concerns Over Ninth-Month Deployment of USS Abraham Lincoln
Justice Department Asks Supreme Court to Revive $400 Million White House Ballroom Project
Trump Imposes Up to 100 Percent Tariffs on Foreign Drones
Trump Threatens to Declare Strait of Hormuz US Territory as Iran Conflict Drags On
Karoline Leavitt Announces Departure as White House Press Secretary
Congress Demands Classified Briefings on DOJ and FBI Surveillance and Foreign Influence Investigations
Trump Faces Bipartisan Criticism Over Rhetoric Targeting Democratic Primary Winners
ACLU Challenges Trump Administration Restrictions on Birthright Citizenship
ICE Plans $20 Million Purchase of Electrified Restraint Gloves for Enforcement Operations
Federal Judge Blocks USPS From Implementing Trump Order Affecting Mail-In Voting
US Thirty-Year Treasury Yields Reach Highest Level in Twenty-Five Years
US Consumer Sentiment Falls Sharply as Middle East Tensions Add to Inflation Concerns
US Treasury Prepares Sweeping Economic Measures Against Iran as Energy Tensions Escalate
Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Revive Construction of $400 Million White House Ballroom
French Supreme Court Upholds Assisted Dying Law While Rejecting Teen Social Media Ban
Severe European Wildfires Force Evacuations as Hundreds Are Arrested Over Suspected Arson
United States President Donald Trump Signs Order to Change Childhood Vaccine Schedules
Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake Strikes Colombia, Leaving Hundreds Missing and Thousands of Homes Destroyed
United States Long-Term Borrowing Costs Reach Twenty-Five-Year High Amid Deficits and Inflation
Global Aluminum Inventories Fall to Thirty-Six-Year Low After Gulf Production Collapse
United States Threatens Indefinite Naval Blockade Against Iran as Regional Defense Alliance Forms
Federal Reserve Officials Signal Caution on Interest Rate Cuts as Inflation Remains Sticky
Justice Department Opens Antitrust Review of Major AI Cloud Partnerships
Congress Averts US Government Shutdown With Temporary Funding Agreement
US Urges China to Halt Military Pressure Around Taiwan After Naval Drills
Trump Administration Authorizes Vetted Private Companies to Conduct Offensive Cyber Operations
Trump Orders Major Overhaul of US Naval Shipbuilding Capacity
Apple Opens Houston Manufacturing Center as It Expands US High-Tech Production
Congress Opens Probe Into Algorithmic Pricing Practices by Airlines and Retailers
×