As ex-Cyclone Alfred moves inland, track rainfall totals and wind speeds at key locations in the cyclone zone.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is speaking to reporters in Lismore, New South Wales, as residents have been cut off due to intense flooding in the region.

Although now classified as a tropical low, the effects of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred have been felt most severely in the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Hervey Bay, and the Northern Rivers. Insurers have already received nearly 3,000 claims, a number expected to rise as residents return to assess the damage.

The Albanese Government is activating financial support for communities directly affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred through the Disaster Recovery Allowance.

This is the sting in Alfred’s tail. These storms are drawing down very warm, moist air from the Coral Sea in the north. If you happen to be under one of these slow-moving thunderstorms, they are getting ready to dump a lot of rain. The situation is very volatile, as the atmosphere is very unstable.

Emergency flood alerts have been issued and about 238,000 homes and businesses are without power in Queensland and New South Wales in the wake of Ex-Cyclone Alfred. It comes after severe winds lashed the state's south east and heavy rains smashed coastal communities.

In Northern New South Wales, Coles has confirmed that stores in Tweed City, Murwillumbah, and Ocean Shores remain closed due to the ongoing weather conditions. In Southeast Queensland, around 28 stores are still closed, particularly in areas experiencing severe flood risks.

A major supermarket chain is urging customers to only “buy what they need” as stores commence opening across southeast Queensland this morning.