The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Severe Weather Warning for HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL and DAMAGING, LOCALLY DESTRUCTIVE WINDS for Lismore and the Northern Rivers.

As forecast, Tropical Cyclone Alfred has started to move west towards the southeast Queensland coast this afternoon. This motion will continue through Wednesday with the system expected to make landfall along the Southeast Queensland Coast on Thursday night or Friday morning between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

Heavy rainfall and damaging winds will extend well to the south of the centre of the system over parts of the Northern Rivers, Northern Tablelands and Mid North Coast.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop about parts of the Mid North Coast, Northern Rivers and Northern Tablelands during Thursday.

Six-hourly rainfall totals between 60 and 110 mm and 24-hour totals between 100 and 200 mm are likely. Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING may develop during Thursday evening and continue into Friday.

Six-hour rainfall totals between 200 and 250 mm and 24-hour totals between 300 and 400 mm are possible, particularly around the eastern-facing slopes in the Northern Rivers and Northern Tablelands. These figures are dependent on the movement and position of the system.

DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 65 km/h with peak gusts to 120 km/h are likely to develop over northeastern New South Wales north of Grafton during Wednesday, and continue throughout Thursday and Friday.

DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS up to 150 km/h may develop north of Grafton late Thursday or early Friday.

A Tropical Cyclone Advice and Forecast Track Map is current for Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

A Coastal Hazard Warning and Hazardous Surf Warning is current.

A Flood Watch is current for northeast New South Wales.

For these products, please refer to: http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings/

Locations which may be affected include Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay, Ballina, Casino, Kyogle, Yamba, Maclean, Woolgoolga, Sawtell and Dorrigo.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

• Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
• Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
• Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
• Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
• Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
• Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water.
• Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
• If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
• Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.
• After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.
• Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
• For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 9:00 pm AEDT Tuesday.