Cyclone Alfred has left over 35,000 homes and businesses without power in Northern NSW overnight after severe winds and heavy rain covered the region.

The worst hit communities are in the Northern Rivers and Far North Coast.

Essential Energy crews worked late into the evening to restore what they could safely until conditions became too dangerous to work in.

Once safe to do so, crews will continue to restore power where they can until they are able to access areas of the network that are flooded or damaged by wind or vegetation debris.

Due to the extreme conditions, the extent of the damage and the continuing weather event it may take several days before power is restored to customers.

For up-to-date information on impacted locations and estimated restoration times (when known), visit our website outages page.

If you see fallen powerlines or powerlines in water, please stay away and call Essential Energy on 13 20 80 to report the damage. In an emergency always call 000.