THE NSW State Emergency Service is asking residents in parts of the Northern Rivers to leave as rapid river rises are expected to lead to extensive flooding.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to make landfall late Friday or early Saturday.
Based on the predictions from the Bureau of Meteorology, forecast rainfall associated with Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to cause rapid river rises and extensive flooding across local catchments.
NSW SES State Duty Commander, Assistant Commissioner Nicole Hogan, said people should leave the areas of concern as heavy rain and fallen trees may close evacuation routes.
“If you remain in the area, you may become trapped without power, water, and other essential services,” she said.
“It may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you, and buildings may not be able to withstand the impact of flood water.
“You should evacuate to stay with family, friends, or alternate accommodation in areas unaffected by flooding. If you are unable to find accommodation, evacuation centres are open throughout the region.”
For the full list of evacuation centres and related information, go to Evacuation Centres.
Northern NSW is facing a combination of gale-force winds, heavy rainfall, and widespread flooding expected over the coming days.
Destructive winds are expected to cause significant damage, possibly bringing down trees, powerlines, and damaging buildings.
Once the winds subside, heavy rainfall will lead to moderate to major flooding in areas. This is a very dangerous weather system and residents are urged to act now to stay safe.
Below are the official evacuation centres that have been established across north-east NSW.
This list will update as more centres are established.
TYALGUM
Tyalgum Community Hall – Coolman Street
Domestic pets accepted
TERRANORA
Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School – 86 Mahers Lane
Domestic pets accepted
MULLUMBIMBY
Mullumbimby RSL – 58 Dalley Street
Companion animals accepted
KINGSCLIFF
Kingscliff TAFE – 806 Cudgen Road
Domestic pets accepted
MURWILLUMBAH
Murwillumbah TAFE – 146 Murwillumbah Street
Domestic pets accepted
KYOGLE
Kyogle Memorial Hall – CNR Stratheden and Roxy Lane
Domestic pets accepted
CASINO
Casino Showground (7am-7pm) – Summerland Way
Animals accepted
EVANS HEAD
Evans Head RSL – 11-13 McDonald Place
Animal information N/A
BURRINGBAR
Burringbar Districts Sports Club – 6 Fourth Avenue
Domestic pets accepted
UKI
Uki Hall – 1462 Kyogle Road
Animals NOT accepted
CORAKI
Coraki Public School – 50 Adams Street
Animal information N/A
OCEAN SHORES
Ocean Shores Country Club – 113A Orana Road
Domestic pets accepted
EAST BALLINA
Ballina Southern Cross of Distance Ed – 2-40 Chickiba Drive
Animals NOT accepted
EWINGSDALE
Cavanbah Centre – 249 Ewingsdale Road
Domestic pets accepted
NAMBUCCA HEADS
Nambucca RSL – 3 Nelson Street
Animal information N/A
EAST LISMORE
Southern Cross University – Military Road
Companion animals accepted
PORT MACQUARIE
Panthers Port Macquarie – 1 Bay Street
Animal information N/A
For more information: https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/during-an…/evacuation-centres
If you require emergency help, call the NSW SES on 132 500 and if life-threatening, call 000.
Meanwhile, assistance has been activated to communities in 15 Local Government Areas in Northern NSW in anticipation of the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The NSW Government’s Natural Disaster Declaration applies to the LGAs of Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Lord Howe Island, MidCoast, Nambucca Valley, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Richmond Valley and Tweed.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister said it’s a challenging time as communities are already experiencing the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
“We are activating a range of support to assist flood-impacted residents begin their recovery as soon as possible,” Ms McAllister said.
“As we understand the full extent of damage from this event, we will move quickly to activate appropriate support for these communities.”
In Queensland, support has been made available under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and will cover counter disaster operation expenses incurred, emergency repairs, and the reconstruction of essential public assets across 12 south-east Queensland councils, including the areas of Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Gympie, Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, and Sunshine Coast.
The activation supports counter disaster operations including sandbagging, evacuations and debris removal as well as emergency road repairs.
Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy said community safety was the government’s top priority.
“We’re prepared for Cyclone Alfred and we’re asking Queenslanders to do the same,” Ms Leahy said.
“There will be no daylight between the event and our recovery. We have resources on the ground, ready to go, as soon as Cyclone Alfred passes.
“We are working in partnership with councils to prepare and this funding will greatly assist them with their preparations for their communities.”
Guidance on getting ready for cyclones is available at www.getready.qld.gov.au
For the latest tropical cyclone warnings and the Tropical Cyclone 7 day forecast, visit www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/
If you require emergency assistance, call the NSW SES on 132 500 and if life-threatening, call 000 (Triple Zero). www.ses.nsw.gov.au
View and be alerted severe weather, flooding and more by downloading the NSW Incident Alerts App: https://apple.co/39Y5tW2
Official information sources
New South Wales
NSW State Emergency Service (SES) website: https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au
Hazards Near Me NSW smartphone app: Apple/Android App Store
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI): https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au
Queensland
Queensland Disaster Management website: https://www.disaster.qld.gov.au
Get Ready Queensland website: https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/dealing-disasters/disaster-types/flood/flood-prepare/take-steps-to-get-ready
Local Government disaster dashboards: https://www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies/disasters/resources-translations/local-government-disaster-dashboards
Department of Primary Industries: http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au
National Resources
Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) warnings: http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings/index.shtml
Image: NSW SES
