Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred: More flooding as rain hits southeast Queensland

Flooding not seen since a devastating 2011 deluge has been forecast as more rain lashed a region in an ex-cyclone's aftermath.

Heavy rainfall is set to continue in southeast Queensland in ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred's wake, triggering warnings across the region.

More than 200,000 people are without power across Queensland's southeast and NSW's northern region, almost 48 hours after Alfred crossed the coast.

Rainfall totals have exceeded 400mm in some areas in the aftermath of Alfred, the first cyclone in more than 50 years to hit Queensland's southeast.

Warnings span southeast Queensland including Brisbane, Logan, Gold Coast and Ipswich as swollen rivers and creeks threaten to break their banks.

For more on ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, go to TVNZ+

The threat spread west of Brisbane with Lockyer Valley told to "take safe shelter" due to Laidley Creek flooding.

Locals have been warned the creek could surpass January 2011 levels when flooding impacted 75% of the state, claiming more than 30 lives.

The Warrego Highway – a major arterial road connecting Brisbane and Toowoomba – was reportedly set to be closed for "some time".

Authorities today also door knocked locals south of Brisbane, warning them of Albert and Logan River flood warnings after weather affected telecommunications.

SES volunteers are set to arrive in Queensland from interstate today, with more than 1000 army personnel assisting recovery in the southeast and northern NSW.

SES responded to almost 4000 calls for help in Queensland alone.

"That is the largest 24 hour period in the history of Queensland's SES," Queensland Premier David Crisafulli told reporters today.

A number of evacuation centres have opened in Brisbane with major flood warnings also issued for the Bremer River near Ipswich and Scenic Rim's Warrill Creek.

An exclusion zone has been lifted at Hervey Bay north of Brisbane after more than 200mm of rain fell in just hours, creating flash flooding.

"We as yet don't know the scale of the damage but we do have intel on the ground to suggest it is significant," the premier said.

Another exclusion zone was also lifted in Clontarf north of Brisbane on Monday after streets were shut down by a tree falling on a gas cylinder.

More than 700 schools across Queensland southeast remain closed but airports across the region reopened with some bus services in Brisbane resuming.

Supermarkets able to open across Queensland's southeast and northern NSW are busy restocking supplies after panic buying stripped shelves bare.

Life began to return to normal in some northern NSW towns, while other residents anxiously looked to the skies.

In Lismore, where more than 1000 homes were destroyed or damaged in 2022 floods, most evacuation orders were lifted as water levels began to fall after coming close to breaching the town's levee.

"Many businesses in Lismore are getting ready to open their doors and trade as soon as possible, which is fantastic news," NSW Premier Chris Minns said today.

However, the Clarence and Richmond Rivers are being closely monitored despite falling water levels with heavy rain expected today.

Less than 10,000 homes were without power and more than 10,000 people subject to emergency warnings.

About 1800 residents were isolated by floodwaters.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced disaster relief payments would be available from tomorrow afternoon.