Cyclone Alfred bears down on Northern Rivers

THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 5PM – COMMUNITIES across northern NSW are bracing as Cyclone Alfred moves closer, with Premier Chris Minns urging residents to stay indoors. At the time of print the NSW State Emergency Service had so far issued 16 ‘Prepare to Evacuate’ orders, including for Ballina, Belongil, South Golden Beach and Kyogle.

Premier Minns has flown to Lismore to meet some of the 2000 SES volunteers stationed in the region.

“Stay out of floodwaters, stay at home during the peak of the storm – make good decisions,” he said on Thursday.

The category two cyclone is expected to bring heavy rain and winds of up to 120 km/h from Thursday night into Friday. Cape Byron, the easternmost point of mainland Australia, could be directly in the storm’s path, with destructive gusts reaching 155 km/h.

Flood warnings have been issued for parts of Byron Bay and Suffolk Park, while high tides and dangerous surf conditions have been recorded along the coast. A full list of flood warnings is available at ses.nsw.gov.au

Flights to Ballina have been cancelled due to extreme winds.

Evacuation centres have opened across the region. While Alstonville High School is no longer in use, space remains available at the Southern Cross University centre in East Lismore. Other sites include the Cavanbah Centre at Byron Bay, Ballina Southern Cross Public School, Evans Head RSL Club, and TAFE NSW campuses at Kingscliff and Murwillumbah.

Residents are encouraged to bring bedding and supplies. Pets are allowed at the centres, but owners should bring food, cages, and leads.

A major flood warning is in place for Lismore, where the Wilsons River could reach 9.7 metres by Friday. Businesses have enacted flood plans, moving stock to higher ground. Lismore City Council has mobilised road crews to install a Dutch Dam deflector wall near Keen Street and Richmond Lane.

Murwillumbah’s CBD is largely shut down, with businesses sandbagging and taping windows. Coles remains open for emergency shopping.

The SES has advised residents to turn off solar panels in case of roof damage.

Emergency Contacts:
Evacuation centres & disaster recovery: NSW Department of Communities and Justice, visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au
Emergency broadcaster: ABC Radio FM94.5 or AM720
SES emergency help: Call 132 500
SES updates: Northern Rivers SES Facebook page, Northern Rivers Mullumbimby Facebook page
Weather updates: Bureau of Meteorology www.bom.gov.au
River heights: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/flood/rain_river.shtml
Road closures: Check Live Traffic NSW or call 132 701
Power outages: Essential Energy www.essentialenergy.com.au or call 13 20 80