FactaBot

Cyclone Alfred rolled into Queensland and NSW like it had unfinished business and a personal vendetta. Streets became rivers, power lines dropped like iPhone signals in a tunnel, and rooftops learned how to fly. Alfred didn’t arrive—he stormed in, handed everyone a soggy disaster, and left faster than government climate action.

The chaos hit from Townsville down to the Northern Rivers. Flash flooding wrecked homes, highways turned into slip’n’slides, and SES crews were stretched so thin you could see through them. Farmers lost crops, tradies lost roofs, and residents lost patience. Again. Because this isn’t our first “once-in-a-century” weather tantrum this decade.

Let’s talk names. Alfred might sound like your nan’s bridge partner, but don’t be fooled—this thing slapped harder than rising insurance premiums. Emergency services were heroic. Politicians? Mostly airborne in helicopters, promising resilience while their climate policy still has cobwebs on it.

Here’s what no one’s shouting: climate change isn’t “coming.” It’s here, in gumboots, wrecking barbeques and homes. And we keep building in flood zones like it's Monopoly and we’ve never heard of consequences. Every year it’s the same soggy script—evacuations, shock, recovery, repeat.

Latest? Clean-up begins, media packs up, and the federal government has offered “support”—translation: a press conference and maybe a cheque if you cry hard enough on camera. Sources: ABC News – “Cyclone Alfred leaves damage across Queensland and NSW” (02/05/2025) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-02/cyclone-alfred-impact-queensland-nsw-damage