Cyclone Alfred: NSW declares emergency as ‘most severe weather in years’ looms, 265 schools shut down
The NSW government has confirmed more than 265 schools and 16 TAFE campuses have been closed in Northern NSW as millions brace for impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. It comes as the NSW Government has activated the State Emergency Operations Centre.
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The NSW Government has declared an emergency response as Cyclone Alfred intensifies, bringing severe weather warnings for the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, and Northern Tablelands.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of gale-force winds, damaging gusts and storm surges that could lead to dangerous flooding across the region.
State Emergency Operations Controller, Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell APM, said, “We are expecting some of the most severe weather conditions this state has seen in recent years hitting our northern coast in the coming days.”
He urged residents to take the warnings seriously.
“The combination of high tides, excessive rain and extreme winds will cause flooding and dangerous conditions on our roads.”
In response to the looming cyclone threat, the NSW Government has confirmed that more than 265 schools in Northern NSW will be closed for at least three days.
Families have been urged not to send their children to class as the storm nears.
Due to the heightened risk of flooding, 241 public schools, 29 Catholic schools, five independent schools, and 16 TAFE campuses—along with two additional TAFE campuses being used as evacuation centres—will remain shut from Wednesday through to Friday.
Education Minister Prue Car said the decision was not made lightly but was necessary to protect lives.
“Keeping our students and families safe must always be our top priority,” she said.
“As our communities prioritise their safety and prepare for the arrival of Cyclone Alfred, we are ensuring teachers, students and school staff are not unnecessarily placed in harm’s way by attending school.
“While we usually do not advocate for the closure of schools and places of learning, in these circumstances, an abundance of caution can be what keeps our community safe.”
Public schools from the Tweed to Yamba are closed today, with supervision available for parents needing to drop off their children. Catholic schools in the region have also shut down, and further closures are expected as the cyclone intensifies.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, with forecasts warning that Alfred could strengthen to a Category 3 cyclone before making landfall in South East Queensland.
Winds of up to 150km/h and heavy rainfall are expected, with fears of life-threatening flash flooding as the cyclone arrives on Friday, potentially coinciding with high tides.
Tens of thousands of residents in low-lying areas have been urged to prepare for possible evacuation as emergency services assess the evolving flood risk. Some areas could receive up to 400mm of rain, triggering major flooding across the region.
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Originally published as Cyclone Alfred: NSW declares emergency as ‘most severe weather in years’ looms, 265 schools shut down
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