Tropical Cyclone Alfred was 195 kilometres east of Brisbane and 180 kilometres east northeast of the Gold Coast at 5 o'clock this morning, slowly making its way to the coast as a Category 2 system.

The Bureau of Meteorology says it is expected to remain of a similar intensity until it crosses the coast late tonight or early Saturday morning to Moreton Bay between Noosa and Coolangatta bringing 130 km/h wind gusts and heavy rain.

Rainfall intensified last night with some significant falls across the Northern Rivers to 7am:

• Lismore Airport 112.2mm
• Alstonville 151mm
• Ewing Bridge Corndale 126mm
• Dunoon 111mm
• The Channon 118mm
• Jiggi 102mm
• Nimbin 153mm
• Terania Creek 128mm
• Lillian Rock 133mm
• Goonengerry 153mm
• Mullumbimby Creek 142mm

The forecast is for the chance of a thunderstorm, possibly severe with damaging winds and heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding. Damaging wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h are expected due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Lismore is expecting the minor flooding point of 4.2m to be reached this morning. Currently the Wilsons River at Lismore is 3.49m at 7:13am. The Bureau is forecasting the moderate level (7.2m) to be reached later this evening and may reach major flood level (9.7m) on Saturday morning with the forecast rain.

The Richmond River at Wiangaree is currently at 6.41 metres and rising, below the minor flood level (11.00 m). The Richmond River at Wiangaree may reach the moderate flood level (15.50 m) Friday evening. The river level is expected to exceed the minor flood level (11.00 m) overnight Friday into Saturday, with forecast rain.

The Richmond River at Kyogle is currently at 7.88 metres and rising, below the minor flood level (12.00 m). The Richmond River at Kyogle is expected to reach the minor flood level (12.00 m) Friday morning. The river level is likely to exceed the moderate flood level (14.40 m) Friday afternoon and may exceed the major flood level (16.00 m) overnight Friday into Saturday, with forecast rain

The Richmond River at Casino Road Bridge is currently at 2.07 metres and rising, below the minor flood level (9.20m). The Richmond River at Casino Road Bridge is expected to exceed the minor flood level (9.20 m) overnight Friday into Saturday. The river level may reach the major flood level (15.00 m) overnight Saturday into Sunday, with forecast rain.

The Richmond River at Casino (Automatic Gauge) is currently at 2.54 metres and rising, below the minor flood level (11.90 m). The Richmond River at Casino (Automatic Gauge) is expected to exceed the minor flood level (11.90 m) Friday evening. The river level may reach the major flood level (17.70 m) Saturday afternoon, with forecast rain.

The Richmond River at Coraki is currently at 2.46 metres and rising, below the minor flood level (3.40 m). The Richmond River at Coraki is expected to exceed the minor flood level (3.40 m) Friday afternoon. The river level may reach the major flood level (5.70 m) Saturday evening, with forecast rain.

The Richmond River at Bungawalbyn is currently at 2.39 metres and rising, below the minor flood level (3.00m). The Richmond River at Bungawalbyn is expected to exceed the minor flood level (3.00 m) Friday afternoon. The river level may reach the major flood level (5.00 m) overnight Friday into Saturday, with forecast rain.

The Richmond River at Woodburn is currently at 2.22 metres and rising, below the minor flood level (3.20m). The Richmond River at Woodburn is expected to exceed the minor flood level (3.20 m) during Friday. The river level may reach the major flood level (4.20 m) during Saturday with forecast rain.