The NSW government has opened the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) as police and emergency services continue to urge the community not to take risks in the anticipated severe weather as Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches landfall around Brisbane.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a severe weather warning for north-eastern NSW – including the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast and Northern Tablelands areas – and southeast Queensland with these areas expecting gale-force winds and damaging gusts.
These destructive winds are expected to cause storm surge, which combined with high tides could cause flooding in the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast areas from today (Thursday, 6 March, 2025).
In response to these warnings the SEOC at Homebush has been stood up and will provide real-time assistance and intelligence to emergency services in the affected communities.
Police are urging the community to be prepared to evacuate their homes if major flooding does occur. Being prepared means to pack an emergency kit containing identification documents, medicines, drinking water, a torch, a mobile phone charger and battery radio.
Evacuation centres have been established at the following locations:
- Tyalgum Hall, Coolman Street, Tyalgum NSW 2484
- Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar, 86 Mahers Lane, Terranora NSW 2486
- Mullumbimby RSL, 58 Dalley Street, Mullumbimby NSW 2482
- Cavanbah Centre, 249 Ewingsdale Rd, Byron Bay NSW 2481
- Kingscliff TAFE, 806 Cudgen Road, Kingscliff NSW 2487
- Murwillumbah TAFE, 146 Murwillumbah Street, Murwillumbah NSW 2484
- Kyogle Memorial Hall Stratheden Street, Kyogle NSW 2474
- Casino Showground, Casino NSW 2470
- Southern Cross University, Military Road, East Lismore New South Wales 2480
- Evans Head RSL, 11-13 McDonald Place, Evans Head New South Wales 2473
- Burringbar Sports Club, Fourth Avenue, Burringbar NSW 2483
- Uki Hall, 1462 Kyogle Road, Uki NSW 2484
- Coraki Public School, 50 Adams Street, Coraki NSW 2471
- Ocean Shores Country Club, 113A Orana Road, Ocean Shores NSW 2483
- Ballina Southern Cross Public School, Chickiba Drive, East Ballina NSW 2478
For the latest information on current evacuation centres and warnings, visit the NSW SES website – www.ses.nsw.gov.au/.
State Emergency Operations Controller, Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell APM, said the state is facing extreme weather conditions and the public needs to act accordingly.
‘We are expecting some of the most severe weather conditions this state has seen in recent years hitting our northern coast in the coming days.
‘Opening the State Emergency Operations Centre is not a light decision; it should be a clear sign to the NSW public – especially those living in Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast areas – that we are expecting extreme conditions.
‘The combination of high tides, excessive rain and extreme winds will cause flooding and dangerous conditions on our roads. I am urging all NSW road users to avoid driving during these weather conditions.
‘Anyone who does choose to drive will be putting their own life, your passengers’ lives and the lives of emergency service personnel at risk.’ Deputy Commissioner Thurtell said.
Police are also urging all those in north-east NSW to avoid all non-essential travel during the cyclone.
The Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC), has also been activated to support the severe weather operation.
The principal function of the PIIC is to not only provide accurate, up-to-date general information to the public, but to also answer their inquiries regarding the flood event which has impacted on the community.
The Public Information and Inquiry Centre can be contacted by calling 1800 227 228.
Members of the public in cyclone affected areas should continue to listen to local radio stations, or check the websites listed below.
It should be noted this inquiry hotline does not replace the State Emergency Service emergency hotline.
Members of the public seeking emergency assistance during a flood or storm should call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500, or visit their website www.ses.nsw.gov.au.
NSW Police remind people in flood affected areas to register their movements using the Register, Find, Reunite website – https://www.redcross.org.au/emergencies/about-register-find-reunite/ – which is a National system managed and operated by Australian Red Cross.
It is a service which registers, finds and reunites family, friends and loved ones after an Emergency. It allows people to:
- Register to let people know they are safe
- Find people who may be affected by an Emergency and know they are safe
- Reunite through a matching process which enables Police, with consent, to share details of family and friends with each other.
For the latest weather warnings, please visit the Bureau of Meteorology website: http://www.bom.gov.au/.
In life-threatening situations and emergencies, the public are advised to contact Triple Zero (000).
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