General News
13 March, 2025
We’re in the clear
After days nervously waiting to see what impact Tropical Cyclone Alfred and the subsequent low pressure system would have across the district, the danger has now passed.
No roads were cut (except Cockburn Road), and power outages were limited to Toowoomba, Highfields, and the areas east of Goombungee and Kingsthorpe on Sunday.
Winds were strongest during Sunday, exceeding 50km/h but no damage was caused by falling trees in Oakey.
Sergeant James Leahy Officer-in Charge at Oakey Police Station thanked residents for their co-operation during the weather event.
“Oakey Police with the assistance of Task Force Maxima and Stock Squad, door knocked a number of residences over the weekend in response to potential flooding issues as a direct result of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred,” he said.
“I would like to thank the community for their actions over the weekend with no issues on the roads and a proactive demonstration of community spirit.”
A tale of what could have been was in evidence down the range on the Warrego Highway at Glenore Grove.
Flooding at Laidley Creek caused the closure of the road, cutting the main link between Toowoomba and Brisbane.
In Highfields and Meringandan, residents were warned to prepare for a power outage possibly lasting days after a cut early on Sunday morning.
Power was restored at around 5pm that same day.
Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald has thanked crews from emergency services, the State Emergency Service (SES), Ergon Energy and members of the Local Disaster Management Group
for working tirelessly over the past week, helping ensure public safety, and responding to numerous calls for assistance.
“Our Region has been lucky that we haven’t experienced the same impacts as other regions across South-East Queensland and northern New South Wales, and I want to express that our thoughts are with those in areas hit hard as they recover,” he said.
“As the worst of the inclement weather is behind us, our focus now moves to recovery and clean-up efforts.
“Council teams are working through clean-up tasks as quickly and safely as they can.
“This means some usual maintenance works may be delayed and may not occur at their usual frequency as we prioritise tasks.”
While the system passed through, residents captured some beautiful photos such as the one pictured above, taken by Cameron Baxter at Kingsthorpe.
