The NSW SES is advising people in the following area(s) to STAY INDOORS due to impacts from Tropical Cyclone Alfred UNLESS they have been directed to evacuate due to expected flooding.
‘There are around 10,000 properties in Prepare to Evacuate area,’ an SES spokesperson told The Echo.
‘We advise people to take action today.’
‘Talk to family and friends to decide so you can decide the best place to stay during the cyclone and so that they know where you are staying.
‘Don’t wait until the cyclone is upon us to take action as roads may be blocked by fallen trees and powerlines and once heavy rainfall occurs roads may be blocked,’ said the SES spokesperson.
‘This is a constantly changing system as cyclones unpredictable in nature. You should monitor the situation as it is constantly changing. We have more than 2,000 volunteers on ground and we are here to work with the community.’
Cyclone impacts expected include damaging wind gusts, heavy to locally intense rainfall, and severe coastal hazards such as abnormally high tides and hazardous surf:
- Tweed Heads
- Murwillumbah
- Mullumbimby
- Byron Bay
- Kyogle
- Nimbin
- Lismore
- Lennox Head
- Ballina
- Casino
- Woodburn
- Maclean
- Yamba
- Kingscliff
- Coraki
- Wardell
- Broadwater
- Evans Head
Look up your closest evacuation centre here: https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/during-an-emergency/evacuation-centres
What are we expecting?
The Bureau of Meteorology advises Tropical Cyclone Alfred is moving towards the southeast Queensland coast, with the far western edge already impacting the coast from about Coolangatta to Ballina.
Alfred is a category 2 cyclone, and is forecast to maintain this intensity as it continues to approach the southeast Queensland coast. The centre of Alfred is expected to cross the coast during Friday, most likely between Maroochydore and Coolangatta.
Gales with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 kilometres per hour are developing near the coast from Coolangatta to Ballina. Gales with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 kilometres per hour are expected to develop along the remaining southeast Queensland and northeastern New South Wales coastal and island communities between Double Island Point and Grafton during Thursday and will persist through Friday.
DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS of up to 155 kilometres per hour may develop about coastal and island locations near, and to the south of, the cyclone centre, possibly as far south as about Cape Byron, from late Thursday or early Friday as Alfred’s destructive core approaches and crosses the coast. DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS may extend to the mainland areas close to the cyclone centre during Friday.
A DANGEROUS STORM TIDE is likely along the coastal foreshore, particularly in areas near and south of the cyclone centre, possible as far south as Cape Byron, if the time of coastal crossing coincides with the high tide. Tides are likely to rise significantly above the highest high tide mark with damaging waves and dangerous inundation of coastal low-lying areas.
DANGEROUSLY HIGH TIDES may cause further coastal erosion and some inundation of low-lying areas near exposed beaches on the Gold Coast, including to the NSW/Qld border and the Tweed Coast.
ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES are likely to continue causing MINOR FLOODING of coastal low lying areas between Double Island Point and Grafton, particularly during the time of high tides early.
Thursday morning (Wednesday night) and early Friday morning (Thursday night) and early
Saturday morning (Friday night). DAMAGING SURF leading to significant beach erosion remains likely for the open beaches between Double Island Point and Grafton, and further south over the New South Wales coast. Separate Coastal Hazard and Hazardous Surf Warning are current for southeast Queensland and northeastern New South Wales coasts.
HEAVY RAINFALL may develop for southeast Queensland and northeastern New South Wales from Thursday. HEAVY to locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE – THREATENING FLASH FLOODING may occur near and south of the cyclone centre as Alfred approaches and crosses the coast. Separate Severe Weather Warning and Flood Watch are current for southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales.
This event may change quickly. NSW SES will monitor the situation and update warnings if the situation changes.
What you need to do:
Move or stay indoors clear of windows, bringing children and pets with you.
If you must travel, consider the consequences of road conditions and closures and make
alternate arrangements for work, children, and travel.
Use stairs instead of lifts in severe weather. You may become trapped if the power goes out.
If your roof or balcony is struck by a fallen tree/branch or other large debris – stay clear and remain indoors if you can. It may have been structurally weakened, even if there is no
obvious damage.
Have your emergency kit and grab and go bag handy in case you lose power.
If caught outdoors, shelter under sturdy cover away from lightning, hail, falling branches.
Stay clear of fallen trees, power lines and damaged buildings.
If you are near the beach or a coastal waterway, storm surge could cause flooding. This is
dangerous.
Check your family, friends and neighbours know what to do. Help them if you can.
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