Ex-Cyclone Alfred has made landfall on the Queensland mainland after impacting Moreton Island overnight, resulting in significant disruptions across the region.

As of Saturday morning, more than 277,000 homes in Queensland and New South Wales (NSW) are without power, primarily due to damage to infrastructure caused by the storm.

Energex, the power distribution company operating in Queensland, reported approximately 238,000 customers were affected, with estimates suggesting that about 1,000 power lines have been downed as a result of the winds and debris.

Paul Jordan, Energex's chief operating officer, advised that teams would begin repairs as conditions become safer.

In New South Wales, nearly 39,000 homes have also lost power, further complicating the situation for residents in the affected areas.

The storm had been forecast to bring wind gusts of up to 120 km/h as it approached land, although it was downgraded to a tropical low by 7 AM AEDT on Saturday.

Meteorologists had previously expressed concerns regarding transitional weather patterns that could lead to heavy rainfall, with accumulations expected to range from 350 to 450 millimeters in some locations.

Major flood warnings are currently in place for multiple waterways, including the Logan River south of Brisbane, as well as the Tweed, Wilsons, Nambucca, and Richmond rivers in NSW.

Dean Narramore, a senior meteorologist, indicated that, while wind threats were subsiding, the potential for significant rainfall remained an immediate concern for the next 36 hours, threatening to exacerbate the flooding risk across south-east Queensland and northeastern NSW.

In light of severe weather conditions, authorities issued urgent warnings to Brisbane residents to seek shelter in safe areas of their homes, avoiding large windows and seeking refuge in interior rooms.

Residents in the Sunshine Coast and Ipswich regions were advised to stay indoors as a precaution.

Furthermore, in Currumbin Valley, officials indicated that it was too late for some residents to evacuate due to rapidly rising waters and road closures.

The cyclone's impact has already been felt as evacuations have been ordered for over 15,000 residents in Northern NSW, particularly in Lismore, given the heightened risks of flooding.

Fatal incidents related to the storm have also been reported, including one individual who was swept away while trying to escape rising waters in Coffs Harbour.

Five flood rescues were conducted within a short span, underscoring the dangers posed by flooded roadways.

As the storm made headway toward land, widespread damage was evident, particularly along the Gold Coast, where trees were uprooted and homes, like one in Mudgeeraba, suffered from falling debris.

The Australian State Emergency Service (SES) acknowledged that there are numerous hazards associated with severe weather conditions, urging residents to avoid floodwaters and to heed safety advisories issued by authorities.

Despite its downgrade, the remnants of Ex-Cyclone Alfred continue to pose a threat to safety and infrastructure in significant portions of Queensland and NSW, drawing attention to the ongoing impact of extreme weather events on local communities.