The NSW SES has advised people in all streets in the Ballina CBD, bounded by Angels Beach Drive, Bentinck Street, Kingsford Smith Drive, River Street and Canal Road, and also surrounded by North Creek and the Richmond River to PREPARE TO EVACUATE due to current major coastal flooding.

NSW SES says you should monitor the situation and prepare to evacuate so that you can safely evacuate when instructed to do so by NSW SES. Wherever possible, you should prepare to stay with family or friends, or make other accommodation arrangements. There is an evacuation centre at Southern Cross Public School, Chickiba Dr, East Ballina.

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.

What are we expecting?

Based on the predictions from the Bureau of Meteorology, rainfall associated with Tropical Cyclone Alfred may cause rapid river rises and extensive flooding along NSW coastal rivers.

Heavy and locally intense rainfall is forecast from Wednesday into the weekend over Northern NSW. Flash flooding is possible. High tides and large waves are expected to increase the flood risk and impacts in low lyingcoastal areas.

This event may change quickly. NSW SES will monitor the situation and update warnings if the situation changes.

What you need to do:

• If you have a Home or Business Emergency Plan, follow it. Otherwise, have a conversation and plan for what you will do and take with you if you need to evacuate.
• Have your mobile phone close and pack your charger, battery-powered radio, medicine, rain gear, warm clothes, blankets, baby and pet items, water, food, torch, something to attract attention, and valuables like photos and insurance or banking records.
• Wear enclosed shoes and pack warm clothes for at least three days to manage unseasonably cool conditions.
• Check your vehicle fuel levels and towed equipment (e.g., horse floats, trailers) to ensure you can safely evacuate.
• Arrange to evacuate to the home of family or friends who are in a safe location away from present and potential flooding. Consider how to transport your pet(s) and companion animals.
• Lift important belongings up onto tables, beds, benches, and shelves above predicted flood levels.
• Collect or create sandbags by filling pillowcases or shopping bags with sand and place them around doorways and in toilets and over drains to prevent rising sewage.
• Relocate waste containers, chemicals, and poisons well above flood level.

Investigate whether there are other hazards (e.g., severe storms, landslip, flash floods) that will impact your ability to evacuate.

Avoid storm drains and pipes, ditches, ravines, creeks, and rivers.

Never drive, walk, ride through, play or swim in floodwater - it is dangerous, toxic, and may void your car insurance. If it's flooded, forget it. Fines apply.

Obey all signs about road closures and instructions from emergency services.

People working or camping along the river should monitor river heights and be prepared to relocate to higher ground.

If you evacuate, register at Register.Find.Reunite https://register.redcross.org.au/ so that your friends, family and emergency services can be informed that you are safe.

For more information:

• Listen to your local ABC radio station which can be found at reception.abc.net.au
• Download the Hazards Near Me app and set your watch zones to get warning information for your areas.
• Follow us on social media @NSWSES or visit our website at www.ses.nsw.gov.au
• Learn about your risk at www.ses.nsw.gov.au/knowyourrisk
• Check latest weather, warnings, rainfall and river heights at www.bom.gov.au/nsw/
• Check road closures at www.livetraffic.com.au or 132 701 or your local Council.