Ex-cyclone Alfred began moving as a tropical low from Queensland's Bribie Island, across the coast, and inland towards the state's southwest on Sunday.
The weakened storm still packs a punch, with the Brisbane region being battered by rain and strong wind gusts on Saturday night, including 100km/h recorded in Redcliffe and more than 70km/h at Brisbane Airport.
And there is more to come, as forecasters expect up to 700mm of rain and destructive gusts continuing through to Monday.
"We don't know what the weather will bring, the system remains active," Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said.
The Gold Coast and northern NSW have felt the brunt of the severe weather with the glitter strip recording gusts of 100km/h with trees crashing into homes.
Northern NSW is facing a flooding crisis with multiple major flood warnings in place for the Tweed, Richmond, Wilsons, Brunswick, Orara, Clarence and Bellinger rivers.
Major flooding is also expected at the Wilsons River, which runs through Lismore, where the water height is predicted to reach about 10.6m, touching the top of the levee.
The emergency disaster has also impacted those sent to help flood victims with two army trucks crashing south of Lismore on Saturday, injuring more than 30 people.
NSW Premier Chris Minns was concerned to hear of the injuries and said the state's emergency services would provide all necessary support.
"They came to the Northern Rivers to help keep this community safe," he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles said the focus was on the personnel and their families.
"Our ADF heroes were on their way to help Australians in need," they said in a statement.
Meanwhile, thousands of locals have been evacuated and many cannot yet return home as the river levels rise.
The weather event turned deadly when a body, believed to be a 61-year-old man, was found after a day-long search.
The man's ute was swept into floodwaters at Megan, about 25 km north of Dorrigo.
He was able to get out of the ute and climb into a tree about 30 metres from the riverbank but was swept away before emergency personnel could reach him.
Mr Crisafulli vowed to provide any assistance to the NSW neighbours as the flood emergency worsened.
"Whilst there's a border than separates our responsibility, it doesn't separate our compassion for a fellow human," he told reporters.
"If those communities cop it again and we can assist them, we'll be there."
Meanwhile, southeast Queensland is slowly coming back to life after halting services for Alfred's arrival.
Public transport, excluding trains and Gold Coast buses, will resume on Sunday while shops, supermarkets and service stations will begin opening on a case-by-case basis
Ferries to Moreton Bay will resume on Sunday for residents stuck on the mainland or the island.
Mr Crisafulli promised support to individuals and small businesses impacted by the weather event once the government has assessed the damage.
"If mother nature deals a tough hand, we have to be there to support individuals ... small family businesses and farmers," he said.
Brisbane and Gold Coast airports are looking to resume flights on Sunday if it is safe to do so.
A major clean-up effort remains across the southeast, particularly for the Gold Coast.
Energex crews will be working to restore power and assisting telcos to restore communications.
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