How Cyclone Alfred is impacting Northern NSW

Follow our Cyclone Alfred live coverage here.

As Cyclone Alfred bears down on the northern NSW Coast, supermarkets, schools, transport and health clinics are now being impacted.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Local flash flooding in Lismore as Cyclone Alfred nears the coast.Credit: Nick Moir

Supermarkets

Coles and Woolworths are sending more food and essentials to replenish empty shelves.

Only Coles stores in some shopping centres are shutting their doors, while its other supermarkets in northern NSW remain open. The stores closed on Thursday are: Coles Tweed City; Coles Tweed Heads; Coles Ocean Shores; Coles Banora Point.

Woolworths stores in the cyclone zone may close early on Thursday as weather conditions worsen, but will remain open for as long as possible.

School closures

A total of 281 schools in Northern NSW will be closed on Thursday and Friday. The Department of Education says the schools are expected to resume operations on Monday, depending on the weather.

Check below to see if your school has been closed. A full list of the schools impacted by the cyclone can also be found on the Department of Education website.

Ballina Airport

All flights scheduled to arrive and depart from Ballina Airport on Thursday and Friday have been cancelled.

Qantas and Jetstar flights to and from Ballina airport have been suspended until Sunday morning local time.

Virgin has also suspended flights to Ballina through to Friday.

Road closures

Northern NSW is experiencing widespread road closures due to flooding and fallen trees.

The live traffic website updates new blockages and cleared roads as they appear.

“Our message to people who need to travel in northern NSW this week is to be prepared, stay informed and most importantly drive to the conditions,” Transport for NSW Co-ordinator-General Howard Collins said.

“We know floodwater is extremely dangerous, especially for drivers. If the road is flooded, forget it. Never drive through floodwaters, you don’t know what lies beneath.”

A large tree blocking the road in GoonellabahCredit: Nick Moir

Public transport

Transport NSW has warned commuters to “expect delays and potential cancellations” on trains, coaches and bus services in northern NSW.

It has urged the public to avoid all non-essential travel in areas impacted by Alfred, but if they must travel, then they should plan ahead.

Commuters should use trip planner to check if their service has been cancelled.

Hospitals

The Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) has temporarily suspended outpatient services and will reschedule planned surgeries cancelled on Thursday and Friday. The local health district will prioritise emergency medical procedures.

Meanwhile, Hospital in the Home services, including palliative care, will temporarily stop taking referrals. Patient cases will be reviewed and strategies put in place to facilitate care while not conducting home visits over this time.

BreastScreen NSW services will be closed from March 5-9 at Tweed Heads, Murwillumbah, Ballina and Grafton, with services at Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie under review.

“All necessary steps are being taken to prepare for this major event, including ensuring our facilities are stocked with sufficient medication, food and linen supplies, with contingencies in place for potential power and communication outages,” NNSWLHD chief executive Tracey Maisey said.

You can find emergency contacts, including local council websites, here.

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