The Tropical Cyclone Alfred picture should become clearer this afternoon and into the early hours of Wednesday morning as it does its u-turn and starts to head towards the Queensland coast as a Category 2 system.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Tropical Cyclone Watch extending down to Grafton. Gale force winds will start to develop from Wednesday evening.

The likely crossing is either late Thursday night or in the early hours of Friday morning as a Category 2 or potentially a Category 1 system.

The Bureau's Sarah Scully said the effects will be widespread, "So not just near the actual crossing point. In fact, the greatest impacts were expected on the southern flank of the cyclone, and those impacts would include damaging to destructive winds. So, these are winds that are strong enough to bring down trees, power lines, cause damage to property, major power outages, and as well, heavy to intense rainfall that may lead to life-threatening flash flooding."

"But as well, the tropical cyclones likely to create a very large storm surge, which increases the risk of coastal inundation and does make it difficult for the water to escape from the river systems."

Once it crosses the coast, Alfred is expected to be quickly downgraded to a tropical low. However, the effects may be felt into the weekend. Saturday's rainfall forecast has increased to 20-70mm.

Lismore business owners are closely monitoring the situation as they enact their flood plans and make preparations for what is to come.

Lismore Floor Coverings is on the low end of Woodlark Street, near the Dawson Street roundabout, where it floods often, through storm water or flooding.

Chantelle said they have started their plan and are moving pallets of products and rolls of carpet to a shed in Goonellabah.

Next door, Sue from Floret is already pushing the go button.

"We get 1500mm in store before the levee is topped, so our flood plan is ready to go. We have a Pantec truck coming down from Queensland on Wednesday and we are packing now."

Sue said people laughed at her when she started packing early in 2022. She has a mezzanine level to store her stock, but says her motto is "Go out not up".

Dave and Sharon Martin, owners of Instyle Sleep Centre, said their philosophy is "whatever you don't need, take it away. We watch and wait."

Over at Daley's Homewares & Monogramming, Matt Healy said he was "alert but not alarmed".

"I am watching the situation very, very closely, but I am not worried. We will not be taking any action until we hear something more concrete. We'll make a call tomorrow afternoon, what we do."

Business Lismore Secretary and Scoops and Candy owner Felicity Hyde said Shoppe One is packing up and Curious Craft Ale is packing their back area up.

"People are just getting prepared, which is good," Felicity said, "Many are changing their ordering for this week. 'Being aware and being prepared' si how I would describe the situation currently."

The bigger retailers like Bi-Rite Home Appliances and Furniture Court are enacting the first part of their flood plan.

Elton Cummings said, "We are watching it, but I don't think we'll know anything until tomorrow afternoon. I am hoping the pumps will be operating. I am concerned, not worried."

"We have done our pre-flood prep. Our bulk storage items like mattresses and lounges are up in Goonellabah. We have topped up the generator with fuel and cleaned up all the old fridges and pallets that could possibly break glass.

One aspect of this upcoming flood is that Lismore businesses are so much better prepared than 2022. The flood plans have been written, and now they are being put to the test.