Wishart residents are assessing the damage and counting their luck after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred swept through Brisbane, bringing down trees, cutting power, and disrupting services. While some homes narrowly avoided destruction, the aftermath has left streets blocked and essential services strained.
Photo Credit: CrStevenHuang/Facebook
Close Calls and Narrow Escapes
The storm’s strong winds caused widespread destruction, bringing down trees across Wishart and other parts of Brisbane. In one case, a large tree collapsed, dragging powerlines and street signs with it. The direction of its fall spared nearby homes from major damage, but it left the street blocked and residents without power.
Elsewhere, families sheltered as the winds roared, experiencing moments of fear as trees crashed down around them. Many had long feared that aging trees posed a risk, and for some, their concerns were realised when the storm hit.
Fallen Trees and Power Outages Disrupt Daily Life
The storm left thousands of homes in South East Queensland without electricity, with fallen powerlines making recovery efforts difficult. Energy crews have been working to restore power, but many households in affected areas are still waiting for full services to resume.
Across Wishart and surrounding suburbs, fallen trees have blocked roads, forcing drivers to take long detours or turn back. Emergency crews have been working to clear major routes, but the scale of the debris has made the task challenging.
Photo Credit: Energex/Facebook
Council Services Impacted by the Storm
BCC has announced disruptions across multiple services due to the storm’s impact:
- Libraries: The Mount Gravatt Library remains open, but other locations are under assessment or remain closed.
- Parks and Playgrounds: Water play areas are shut down, and all mountain bike tracks in the Mt Coot-tha Reserve are closed until further notice.
- Public Transport: Limited bus services have resumed, but most ferries and some bus routes remain suspended due to road conditions.
- Waste Collection: Regular bin collection is ongoing, but repair services for damaged bins are currently unavailable.
To assist residents with storm clean-up, Council has opened temporary green waste drop-off sites at Mt Coot-tha car park and White Hills Reserve.
Local Businesses Step Up Amid Power Outages
With much of the region left in the dark, a Redland Bay petrol station with a backup generator became a vital hub for the community. It remained open while others shut, offering fuel, ice, and hot coffee to those dealing with power loss.
The demand was so high that extra hands were needed to keep up with customers seeking basic supplies.
Emergency Services Work to Clear Roads
Emergency response teams have been deployed across the region to deal with fallen trees and road blockages. Crews have been using chainsaws to cut through large fallen branches, clearing debris where possible and cordoning off areas that remain unsafe.
The main road between Redland Bay and Victoria Point had to be closed in both directions at the height of the storm, with emergency workers focusing efforts on clearing vital transport routes first.
Residents Find Ways to Adapt
Despite the damage, some have found ways to make the best of the situation. With parks and beaches inaccessible due to debris and flooding, local children have turned flooded fields into makeshift play areas. In one instance, two teenagers took to the water with skimboards, making use of the storm’s impact in their own way.
What Comes Next for Wishart?
Recovery efforts are expected to continue in the coming weeks, with BCC and emergency services working to clear blocked roads and restore services. Residents are advised to stay updated through official channels and take precautions while travelling through affected areas.
The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, and while power is gradually being restored, some households may face ongoing disruptions. Authorities are urging the community to report any hazardous trees or debris that may still pose a risk.
Published 10-Mar-2025
