Residents urged to prepare as Cyclone Alfred approaches

LOCAL residents are bracing for extreme weather as Cyclone Alfred nears, with authorities urging communities to stay prepared but not alarmed.

Emergency services are advising households to secure property, gather supplies, and review or create an emergency plan via the SES website.

The cyclone’s arrival comes almost to the day of the devastating 2022 floods, placing high expectations on response efforts.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said lessons had been learned.

“Forty flood rescue teams are trained up and ready to go in the Northern Rivers,” Minns said this morning.

“Act early, be prepared, listen to the information so we can limit the risk to human lives.”

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) midday update predicts Cyclone Alfred will make landfall near Brisbane on Thursday night or early Friday morning as a category two system.

Modelling indicates the cyclone will track west this afternoon, bringing winds of 100-120 km/h and up to 400 mm of rain.

Ocean swells of two to three metres are expected to double in coming days, raising serious erosion concerns for coastal communities.

Businesses report that essential supplies remain available, but stock is running low in some stores.

Several large retailers are out of bread, eggs, certain meats, and other perishables, while service stations are experiencing long queues.

Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and Lismore MP Janelle Saffin urged residents to stock up on essentials but to be mindful of others and support local businesses.

“If it doesn’t eventuate, we can count our blessings, knowing that we have done all we could have done to keep ourselves, our family, our neighbours and community safe,” Saffin said.

“We get it as we are all locals, and we are getting prepared ourselves.

“If you need help, please make contact and myself, and my team will do our best to get you support.

“We are getting the office ready and moving things to higher ground like many local businesses.

“The better prepared we are, the safer we and our loved ones are and the better our recovery if we are impacted by Cyclone Alfred.

“Please reach out and look out for one another. I am with you all the way.”

Authorities are also warning against misinformation and urging people to rely on official sources such as the BOM and SES.

Residents are encouraged to download the Hazards Near Me app for real-time warnings.

The NSW SES will host a Community Meeting tonight from 6 pm to 7 pm (Tuesday, March 4) via Microsoft Teams.

The session will provide updates from emergency experts on current conditions, response preparations, and how residents can safeguard their homes.

To join the meeting, visit ses.nsw.gov.au/events/nsw-ses-community-meeting-northern-rivers