Ex-Cyclone Alfred live updates: Emergency flood warnings are issued and hundreds of schools remain closed

Emergency flood warnings have been issued across south-east Queensland and northern NSW.

Major flood warnings have been issued for Bremer River and Warrill Creek, as well as Laidley Creek.

Moderate flood warnings have been issued for Lockyer Creek and Logan and Albert River.

Major flooding is possible along the Tweed River at Tumbulgum.

Minor flooding is occurring at Murwillumbah and Chinderan.

The NSW State Emergency Service has issued a severe weather warning for Lismore and Tamworth.

Heavy rainfall is forecast for the towns, which could also lead to flash flooding in Armidale, Gunnedah, Moree and Narrabri.

Hundreds of schools across south-east Queensland and northern NSW will remain shut on Monday as ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues to cause havoc.

Queensland schools unscathed by the storm will reopen only if it’s safe to do so.

‘Where it’s safe to do so, schools will reopen with the exception of the Gold Coast,’ Premier David Crisafulli said.

More than 680 state, Catholic and indepedent schools in Queensland will remain closed on Monday. Full list here.

An additional 255 schools also remain shut in northern NSW. Full list here.

‘As the full impact of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues to unfold and clean-up efforts begin to get under way, our priority is ensuring the safety of students and staff,’ NSW education minister Prue Car said.

The NSW closues could delay the start of NAPLAN tests for public school students in years 3,5,7 and 9.

The NAPLAN tests are scheduled to take place from Wednesday, March 12 to Monday, March 24.

Thousands have been left stranded as floodwaters cut off evacuation routes across northern NSW.

The State Emergency Service said 1,800 are already isolated while another 18,500 have been warned to prepare to be cut off.

‘Along the Richmond River, residents at Bungawalbin have been advised it is too late to leave the area and to seek refuge at higher ground due to major flooding. Major flooding is also occurring at Coraki,’ an update read.

NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Sean Kearns said he was relieved to see some weather warnings had been downgraded over the weekend, but the worst was yet to come for many.

‘Major flooding and isolations are still occurring across many communities, and the predicted risk of heavy rain to continue throughout Monday and possibly into Tuesday will only exacerbate this risk,’ he said.

‘We may see renewed river rises, but we’re hoping we have seen the worst of the rain from this event.’

Almost 224,000 homes and businesses across south-east Queensland were still without power early Monday morning, according to the Energex website.

Gold Coast was the worst hit region with 72,694 customers impacted, followed by Brisbane (45,106), Redland City (34,907), Moreton Bay (34, 060) and Logan (30, 342).

It comes after Energex crews worked around the clock to restore power to 100,000 properties across the region on Sunday

‘While it’s a relief to be making headway, we’re also acutely conscious that it continues to be a long, hard slog for others, some of whom were hit in the first early waves of #TCAlfred,’ it said.

‘We have teams working around the clock, and tomorrow we’ll build on today’s gains – we just need the weather to work with us, and for flooding to hold off.’