Ex-tropical cyclone Alfred is crossing Bribie Island on its route to the mainland

The storm weakened to category 1 late last night before it was downgraded to a tropical low this morning, but is still expected to bring heavy rainfall, with the potential to cause life-threatening flooding near and south of the core.

Hundreds of thousands of people are without power in south-east Queensland and into northern NSW.

A 30-metre Norfolk pine tree has been brought down by strong winds on the Gold Coast, landing on top of a building.

Disposal efforts are being hampered by several factors, including the number of people on the street.

There are also fears that lopped branches could become new projectiles launched by the wind.

And Energex workers are trying to check for downed wires.

A family on the Gold Coast were minutes from tragedy when a giant gum tree fell through their house.

The Ashmore residents were playing Uno when the tree fell through their home about 7.30pm.

Raul, the home’s owner of seven years, was at work in a hospital emergency ward when the tree came down.

Premier visits Lismore as waters rise.

NSW Premier Chris Minns, joined by Lismore MP Jane Saffin and Emergency Minister Jihad Dib, speak with Lismore residents as waters rise in the town.

About 43,000 homes and businesses without power in NSW

NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe says 43,000 premises are currently without power in the north-east.

“The issue that we have here, is we’re still in the middle of this event,” she said.

It is still too unsafe for workers to take to the field to carry out repairs, but they are making preparations, Sharpe said.

“The message though, to the community is, you’re going to have to be patient,” she said.

“And that we’re doing everything we can.”

There are also phone outages throughout the region, but Sharpe said Triple Zero should be working in all areas.

NSW has 20,000 under evacuation orders.

NSW SES Commissioner Mike Wassing says 20,000 people in the state’s north-east are under evacuation orders.

He said it was anticipated the number could rise.

There are 131 warnings, including 40 emergency warnings, in the state.

And emergency services have carried out 35 rescues in the past 24 hours, mostly from people driving through floodwaters.

One driver remains missing but all others were unhurt.

“I don’t want people’s safety at to be risk, and I definitely don’t want my crews or any crews putting their lives at risk to save others,” he said.

Next 12-24 hours pose flooding danger.

Lismore is emerging as the focus of the ongoing weather emergency in New South Wales.

“The threat in terms of this critical emergency remains,” NSW Deputy Premier Prue Car said.

“There is a threat of significant rainfall and flooding particularly around the Lismore area in the next 12 to 24 hours.”

She urged all residents in the area to continue to follow emergency advice.

Major flooding expected for Lismore, levee one metre from breaking.

Moderate flooding is already under way at Lismore in the NSW Northern Rivers, as the Wilsons River draws closer to breaking the town’s levee.

Source Credit: 9 News