Evacuation centres across the Northern Rivers will be up and running by 4 o'clock this afternoon as emergency services continue their pre-Tropical Cyclone Alfred preparations.

During today's media briefing, Acting Chief Superintendent Stuart Fisher, who is the NSW SES Operations Commander for this event, advised that the weather warning has shifted to a 'Watch and Act' for Lismore and the Northern Rivers.

Supt Fisher said 'Watch and Act' is to keep yourself informed of the coming weather event and be prepared to leave.

Evacuation centres were to be used as a last resort, with a preference for people to stay with family and friends.

"If they choose to go to an evacuation centre, we suggest they take their medicines, any valuables they might want to have, because they may be there for a little time when they do go to an evacuation centre.

"That is the last resort. We would encourage, if they do decide to leave their area, to go and stay with friends and family and use the evacuation centres as a last resort."

Supt Fisher said he believes the evacuation centres will not have bedding.

"It's basic. They will have services there from support services."

Scott Tanner, the District Commander for the Richmond Police District reassured the community that there is a lot of support in regards to evacuation centers.

"As stated before, there are a number that are being opened up and down the coast. The majority of those will open from four o'clock this afternoon. They will be in the communities of Ballina, Casino, Kyogle, Lismore and Coraki. There will also be another one at Evans Head, and we are at the moment working on establishing one in Alstonville.

"When we have those all locked away, that information will be put up onto the SES website so people can access that.

"As we've said before, evacuation centres are probably the last place that you want to go. If you do have the ability to get to family or friends or alternate accommodation, we ask that you do that now. Use today as the day that you prepare for the next three days. The weather is going to deteriorate, as we've heard, and it's going to be unsafe to be on the roads."

Below are the official evacuation centres that have been established across northeast NSW:

NORTHERN RIVERS - OPEN FROM 4PM

LISMORE

Southern Cross University: Rifle Range Road, East Lismore (the same location as the 2022 flood in the Health Precinct)

BALLINA

Southern Cross Public School: Chickiba Dr, East Ballina

ALSTONVILLE

Alstonville High School: Cawley Close, Alstonville

KYOGLE

Kyogle Memorial Hall: Stratheden Street, Kyogle

EVANS HEAD

Evans Head RSL: 11-13 McDonald Place, Evans Head

TYALGUM

Tyalgum Community Hall: Coolman Street, Tyalgum

CORAKI

Coraki Public School: 50 Adams Street, Coraki

BURRINGBAR

Burringbar Sports Club: Fourth Avenue, Burringbar

UKI

Uki Hall: 1642 Kyogle Road, Uki

TWEED HEADS / BYRON BAY - OPEN FROM 4PM

BANORA POINT

Banora Point Salvation Army: The Centre Cnr Leisure and Woodlands Drive, Banora Point

KINGSCLIFF

Kingscliff TAFE: 806 Cudgen Road, Kingscliff

MURWILLUMBAH

Murwillumbah TAFE: 146 Murwillumbah Street, Murwillumbah

MULLUMBIMBY

Mullumbimby RSL: 58 Dalley Street, Mullumbimby

OCEAN SHORES

Ocean Shores County Club: 113A Orana Road, Ocean Shores

TERRANORA

Terranora Public School: 650 Terranora Road, Terranora

For more information: https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/during-an.../evacuation-centres. Locations may increase.

If you require emergency help, call the NSW SES on 132 500 and if life-threatening, call 000.