Authorities are advising residents across the Northern Rivers and beyond to prepare for predicted heavy rain, damaging winds, large surf, flash flooding and possible major riverine flooding with Tropical Cyclone Alfred expected to cross the coast later this week.
Heavy and locally intense rain is predicted over South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers and New South Wales Mid North Coast from late Wednesday into the weekend.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred had developed into a Category Two event as of mid-Monday morning, around 400 kilometres off the Queensland Coast and forecast to move southwards parallel to the coast before tracking westward on Tuesday.
‘All parts of the Byron Shire and surrounding areas will be affected by category 2 Tropical Cyclone Alfred with a direct impact located approximately around Brisbane. This brings the Southern side of the Storm (which is the most powerful) possibly right into the Shire,’ explained Matthew Gray who is a storm chaser and aspiring meteorologist who lives in the Byron Shire.
Northern Rivers
‘Generally the same conditions can be expected across Tweed, Ballina and Lismore shires. Lismore is facing more of a flood threat than a wind threat. I’ve see talk in some facebook groups that it could rival the 2022 floods. This is not very likely though,’ he told The Echo.
‘Rain accumulations (as of Monday, March 3) could reach 150-600mm with some isolated areas receiving over 800mm possible.
Strong winds and large waves
‘Strong category 2 cyclone winds are expected to hit the coast from March 5 and 6, but the winds are basically just getting stronger from this point and could reach up to 130km/h.
‘Extremely high tides and giant waves will impact the coast with waves possibly reaching a metres tall. For all necessary information visit the Bureau of Meteorology’s warnings and tropical cyclone pages. As we get closer to the event we will be able to determine with more accuracy what to expect.’
Ex-Cyclone Debbie
For comparison, ex-Cyclone Debbie was a Category Four when it hit the region in 2017, causing extensive flooding across the region.
Catchments listed in an official flood watch include but aren’t limited to the Tweed, Rous, Wilsons, Richmond, Clarence, Orara and Brunswick Rivers and Marshalls Creek.
Hazardous surf conditions have also prompted a warning, particularly for rock fishers.
Where to get sandbags
Local state emergency services say Mullumbimby and Byron residents can collect self-service sandbags from midday today at The Mullumbimby Unit, 33 Coolamon Scenic Drive.
More sandbags are to be available at the soccer field carpark on Shara Boulevard for residents of Ocean Shores, New Brighton and South Golden Beach.
In the Tweed Shire, sandbags are to be available from the Tweed Heads Unit in Banora Point, the Tweed Coast Unit in Pottsville and from the Murwillumbah Unit.
SES units in Lismore and Ballina say they will issue sandbag availability advice later today via social media.
The SES is also reminding people to prepare an emergency kit with ID documents, medicines, water, torch, mobile charger and a battery radio and to download the Hazards Near Me App for real-time warnings and information.
NSW and QLD on alert
Meanwhile, residents in south-east Queensland are being warned to prepare for potentially deadly flood risks.
New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib is to join SES Commissioner Mike Wassing and Bureau of Meteorology Manager Hazard Preparedness Steven Bernasconi later this morning for a public update on Tropical Cyclone Alfred and impacts for NSW.
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