Tropical Cyclone Alfred looks likely to cross the mainland at around 10am Saturday morning according to the latest information from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Alfred is 70 kilometres east of the Gold Coast travelling at 6 kilometres per hour.

The Wilsons River at Lismore has now reached the moderate flood level of 7.2m for the first time since February 25th 2022. At 10:42pm the river height is 7.84m.

The expectation is a major flood (9.7m) will be reached Saturday morning, and with forecast rainfall a river level of 10.6m may be reached late Saturday morning.

Since 9am, 120mm has fallen at the Lismore airport, following the 147.8mm to 9am this morning (Thursday and Friday morning).

The forecast is for 35 to 130mm to fall on Saturday before a further 15 to 70mm on Sunday.

Parts of Mullumbimby to the East of the railway line, including Argyle Street and surrounds have been advised to EVACUATE BEFORE 8am Saturday (March 8) due to cyclone related major flooding.

Parts of Mullumbimby to the south of Fern Street, including Jubilee Avenue, Byron Street, Cedar Street, Myokum Street, Stuart Street, Orchid Place, Station Street and Small Lane and surrounding areas have also been asked to EVACUATE BEFORE 8am tomorrow.

You must evacuate before this time because heavy rainfall will close evacuation routes. Cyclonic wind gusts may cause roads to be blocked and power outages may occur.

Evacuation Information

You should evacuate to stay with family, friends, or alternate accommodation in areas unaffected by flooding. If you are unable to find accommodation, Evacuation centres have been set up at at the Mullumbimby RSL, 58 Dalley St, Mullumbimby.

If you remain in the area, you may become trapped without power, water, and other essential services. It may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you, and buildings may not be able to withstand the impact of flood water.

In other parts of the Northern Rivers, Kyogle, as expected, is looking to a major flood on Saturday. At 10pm (Friday), the Richmond River is 14.86m, which is just above a moderate flood level (14.4m). A major flood will be reached at 16.0m.

The NSW SES has advised people in the following area(s) of Kyogle to PREPARE TO ISOLATE: 

• Caddie Avenue
• Eagle Court
• Golfview Drive
• Parts of Collins Creek Road

You should monitor the situation and prepare to be isolated by floodwater. Consider the effects isolation will have on family, work, and educational commitments. 

You may be trapped without power, water, and other essential services, and it may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you. 

Casino is still below the minor flood level of 11.9m, it is currently 7.47m. The Richmond River at Casino may reach the moderate level of 14.9m on Saturday.

At Coraki, the minor flood level of 3.4m has been reached. The 10pm reading is 3.63m and rising. The river is likely to exceed the moderate flood level (4.5m) overnight Friday into Saturday morning and may reach the major flood level (5.7m) Saturday afternoon with forecast rainfall.

At Woodburn, the Richmond River is expected to exceed the minor flood level (3.2m). It is currently 2.42m. The river is likely to exceed the moderate flood level of 3.7m on Saturday morning and may reach the major flood of 4.2m tomorrow afternoon with forecast rainfall.

A further update will occur in the morning as Alfred crosses the Queensland coast at around 10am.