Cyclone Alfred as it happened: Category downgrade possible as storm approaches Queensland coast; NSW Northern Rivers evacuation warnings issued for Lismore, surrounding areas

Thank you for following our live coverage as Cyclone Alfred approaches the Queensland coast, and triggers evacuation orders in northern NSW. We will continue our rolling coverage tomorrow morning, so do join us.

Stay safe and follow the emergency advice as we prepare for Alfred to reach our doorstep.

Here are some of today’s key developments:

• The track map released on Thursday night by the Bureau of Meteorology shows the cyclone’s landing time further delayed until 7am Saturday, Queensland time. Cyclone Alfred has dropped in speed to 6 kilometres per hour, and has remained the same distance from land since 5pm.
• On Thursday afternoon, the NSW SES issued a number of emergency warnings for residents to evacuate areas including the Lismore CBD, Tumbulgum and Kyogle by 9pm due to anticipated flooding.
• The SES released a second round of flood evacuation notices for more areas in northern NSW in certain parts of North Macksville, Macksville, Bowraville, Nambucca Heads and Gumma to leave by 8am, Friday March 7.
• Lismore is expected to begin flooding tonight, with more rainfall than initially expected, partly because Cyclone Alfred is slowing down.
• Schools, public transport, major roads and airports are closed today, with elective surgeries also put on hold, but emergency departments remain open.
• Supermarkets have started shutting their doors ahead of Alfred’s arrival.
• NSW Premier Chris Minns urged Northern Rivers residents to prepare, just three years after flooding devastated the region, saying Thursday was the “day to act” and to avoid floodwaters.
• Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said the window for people to prepare was closing “with every hour”.

The latest track map released by the Bureau of Meteorology shows the tropical cyclone’s anticipated landing time has been further delayed until 7am Saturday, Queensland time.

Cyclone Alfred has dropped in speed, down to 6 kilometres per hour.

The bureau’s Cyclone Alfred track map at 8pm Queensland time, Thursday night.Credit: Bureau of Meteorology

It remains 225 kilometres east of Brisbane and 215 kilometres east-north-east of the Gold Coast – no change from the last update at 5pm Queensland time.

By Saturday morning, the bureau has the system downgraded to a category 1, according to the map.

The downgrade refers to wind speed. The weather bureau expects the same amount of rainfall, but for the cyclone to linger for longer.

The NSW SES has released a second round of evacuation notices for more areas in northern NSW, after telling residents in Lismore earlier to evacuate by tonight.

Residents in certain parts of North Macksville, Macksville, Bowraville, Nambucca Heads and Gumma have been told to evacuate by 8am, Friday March 7.

“You must evacuate before this time because forecasted heavy rainfall will close evacuation routes,” the SES said.

“If you remain in the area, you may become trapped without power, water, and other essential services. It may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you, and buildings may not be able to withstand the impact of flood water.“

Specific roads and streets have been told to evacuate, and can be found here.

As cyclonic surf conditions erode beaches in South East Queensland and northern NSW, local turtle conservation groups are racing to relocate nests before they’re washed away.

Kate Hofmeister, a team leader with the Sunshine Coast Council wildlife conservation program, Turtlecare, said volunteers in her group – from Point Cartwright near Mooloolaba to the northern half of Bribie Island – had spent over 90 hours across three days relocating nests.

The tide is eroding the beach at Kawana on the Sunshine Coast.Credit: Catherine Strohfeldt

In a normal year the group would relocate about 20 per cent of the eggs laid, but this year, it’s closer to three-quarters of the total.

“In some cases, we’re moving them behind the vegetation line on the dunes … towards the erosion line from the mid-70s,” she said.

She said her team had already lost one clutch on Bribie Island where the island was split in two from wild surf. The nests typically belong to the loggerhead turtle, a critically endangered species.

“The majority of them are very close – within a few weeks – of emerging,” Hofmeister said.

Boat owners have been cautioned to take the chance for one final check of their vessel’s security before the impact of Cyclone Alfred hits.

Volunteer Marine Rescue Shorncliffe’s Charles Linsley, who was a part of the Mackay base during Cyclone Debbie in 2017, warned owners to ensure two or three anchors are used, and do a final check to make sure bungs are put in place. He said any boats with bilge pumps should make sure they’re working properly.

“Don’t assume that what you’ve done will work – go back and triple check if you need to,” Mr Linsley said.

A sailboat that lost its mooring is seen resting on a beach at Bribie Island, north of Brisbane on Monday.Credit: Dan Peled

“The forecasts are changing all the time with the wind direction, so somebody who might say their boat will be reasonably OK, when they get the next forecast it might change ... it’s a very active process, you can’t just sit and forget.

“The only reason you should be going to your boat is to secure it.

“For small tinnies, get them out of the water and put them undercover or tie them down at home as best you can, and make sure they’re securely anchored because there’s going to be some tidal surges as well.

“Don’t rely on just a single anchor, and if you can tie off on a wharf or a jetty or pontoon make sure you put extra lines on.”

Lismore is expected to begin flooding tonight, with more rainfall than initially expected, partly because Cyclone Alfred is slowing down.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s Jonathan How said that northern NSW’s position – south of the cyclone – means it will face the heaviest rainfall, before, during and after the cyclone lands.

Lismore, which has experienced 100mm of rainfall today alone, is prime for flooding, How said.

Residents in Lismore in NSW’s Northern Rivers region prepare for Tropical Cyclone Alfred.Credit: Danielle Smith

“We do have a major flood warning already in place for the Wilsons River,” he said.

“We are expecting minor flooding tonight and into tomorrow for Lismore itself, and major flooding is possible tomorrow night into Saturday.”

The slowing down of the cyclone “does mean that you see a heavier rainfall over a longer period of time before making crossing” into land, he added.

There has been confusion about whether residents of low-lying areas of Brisbane could park their cars in shopping centres free to avoid flooding risks.

At his press conference this afternoon, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli had a message for big business.

David Crisafulli gave an update on Cyclone Alfred this afternoon.Credit: Cameron Atfield

“Let me answer it this way, if someone takes the initiative to go and put their car into a safe place, I would hope that they are supported in that journey,” Crisafulli said.

“And we want everyone to be good corporate citizens and good community citizens at the moment.”

A Scentre Group spokeswoman said parking was free at Westfield shopping centres in the cyclone warning zone on Thursday, but they could not guarantee safe access or storage of cars during or after cyclone.

Destructive gusts lashing NSW’s Northern Rivers have started to wreak havoc, with a power pole down in Ballina this evening following re-intensified wind and rain.

Residents of West Ballina have reported power outages. The flood-prone coastal town is bracing for rising water and has been urged to prepare for evacuation by the SES.

A power pole down in Ballina.Credit: Facebook

Essential Energy said about 10,000 homes and businesses between Tweed Heads and Bulahdelah have lost power as a result of strong wind blowing trees and vegetation onto power lines.

The energy provider warned some areas can’t be accessed by repair crews due to heavy rain and “power may be interrupted for extensive periods”.

One of the major population centres in the City of Moreton Bay, the next council area north of Brisbane, is Caboolture – and people there were heeding the advice to stay indoors this afternoon.

With schools and most non-essential businesses closed from today, and public transport across South East Queensland stopping services, residents are staying home and avoiding travel.

In the deserted streets of the Moreton Bay town, about 20 kilometres inland, some shop owners taped their windows in preparation for the strong winds of Cyclone Alfred.

Tape over the windows of a Korean barbecue shop on King Street in central Caboolture.Credit: Catherine Strohfeldt

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin has told residents she knows it’s “difficult to leave” but has urged them to evacuate before anticipated flooding.

“It’s difficult to leave your home. If you get an evacuation order, please do it. I want you safe, your family wants you safe, your neighbours want you safe – we all do. I know it’s hard, you can take your pets to the evacuation centre.”

Year 1 and Kindy students from The Living School Lismore help pack away in preperation for Cyclone Alfred.Credit: Danielle Smith

Lismore is one of the areas in northern NSW that the SES has urged to evacuate before 9pm tonight.

Acting Chief Superintendent Stuart Fisher said strong winds were expected to bring down power lines and trees making it more difficult for emergency services to access people stuck in flooded areas.

“The weather is deteriorating rapidly for us, whilst it may look like the rivers aren’t flooding, there is high concern that they will start flooding tonight and continue into tomorrow,” said Fisher.

“We do expect other areas to be under evacuation orders tomorrow.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns said those in evacuation zones with no place to go will have access to evacuation centres all along the northern NSW region.

The largest best equipped evacuation centre is at the Southern Cross University in the Lismore area, said Minns, adding “if you’re in those other towns, I’m asking you to access the SES website and make sure you find the most appropriate location”.

Minns urged residents not to stay at home, as the government and SES “cannot guarantee a boat for every house” in the event of a flood.