Cyclone Alfred: Far-north NSW to ‘prepare for the worst’

Residents in the Northern Rivers, Tweed Heads and Byron areas are being urged to buckle down and stay vigilant in the lead-up to Cyclone Alfred’s landfall early Friday morning.

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Residents in far-north NSW are bracing for a deadly combination of damaging winds, intense rain and abnormally high tides as Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches landfall.

Residents in low-lying areas across the Northern Rivers, Tweed Heads and Byron areas have been advised to prepare evacuation plans, as Premier Chris Minns touched down in the region on Wednesday afternoon where he will remain to help residents battle the storm.

State Emergency Services have opened 14 evacuation centres.

While Mr Minns said he doesn’t expect the event to surpass the devastation of the 2022 floods, he warned residents to take extreme caution.

“We need to bunker down over the next 48 hours and get through what may be a very difficult time,” Premier Chris Minns said.

“The SES, the Bureau of Meteorology, emergency services in NSW have been working hard to preposition and ensure we’re in a position where we can get emergency service workers on the ground, ready to go.

“Still a huge ask for the NSW community, particularly those that live on the Northern Rivers, to be prepared for the worst.

“Thursday is the day to act because Thursday evening and Friday morning we’re expecting the storm to approach and cross into NSW.”

Residents take a morning walk as massive waves crash against the North Wall in Ballina on Wednesday. Picture: AFP

Arrangements are in place for co-operation between NSW and Queensland, the Premier said.

“If high tide occurs at the same moment (as the cyclone hits) then people that live on the coast or on beaches or close to rivers or riverine areas can expect the high tide to be up to half a metre higher than the high tide they would ordinarily expect,” Mr Minns said.

“This is accompanied with high winds, which we’re already seeing coming into the Northern Rivers and the northern part of NSW.

“I understand Qantas has cancelled flights to both Coffs Harbour and Ballina in the last couple of hours and the weather event is obviously picking up pace.”

A 24-hour public information and inquiry centre has been activated for those bracing for Alfred’s arrival and the possibility of it increasing in intensity from a category 2 storm.

“The possibility of the system reaching a low-end category 3 strength before making landfall cannot be ruled out,” a BOM technical report said, adding it was a “low risk”.

People are able to receive information about the cyclone by calling 1800 227 228.

Residents in the Northern Rivers region were able to access emergency shelter – located at Terranora Public School, Tyalgum Hall, Mullumbimby RSL, Kingscliff TAFE, Murwillumbah TAFE, Ocean Shores Country Club, Coraki Public School, Kyogle Memorial Hall, Southern Cross University, Evans Head RSL, Burringbar Sports Club and Uki Hall – from 4pm on Wednesday.

A view of current status of Tropical Cyclone Alfred and impacts for NSW at the SES HQ in Sydney. Picture: Gaye Gerard

More shelters are expected to open.

There are concerns for the large number of homeless, rough and car sleepers in the Byron shire, which has one of the highest rates of homelessness in the country.

It comes as the Northern Rivers faces major sandbag shortages across numerous SES crews, which are calling for locals to bring old pillowcases, rubbish bags or woven bags to fill.

Murwillumbah SES has run out after going through 3000 bags today, so has Ballina, while Mullumbimby is not too far behind, ABC News reported.

From Wednesday to Friday, 121 schools across the Northern Rivers region, running from Clarence Valley north of the Queensland border to inland near the Kyogle Shire, will be closed.

Local Facebook community groups have banded together to best support preparation efforts.

One local called out for help to provide farmers with safe paddock spaces on higher ground for horses and cattle, livestock transport and temporary fencing.

Many businesses announced they were closing their doors, even having run-out sales to clear out food stock, and events are cancelled until the worst is over.

Byron Shire Council has provided the community with hardware for satellite internet service Starlink in case of downed communication, determined not to repeat the mistakes of past weather events.