The NSW SES is saying the Wilsons River may reach a moderate flood level for Lismore given the latest information from the Bureau of Meteorology.

As local anxiety rises with Tropical Cyclone Alfred due to change direction tomorrow towards the west, Superintendent Scott McLennan's words will bring a level of comfort to the majority of Lismore and Northern Rivers residents and businesses.

"As we've all been watching, Tropical Cyclone Alfred has been slowly making his way southward along the Queensland coast, and is now expected to come across the coast sometime later this week. Tropical Cyclone Alfred is bringing with him significant wind gusts. It's a Category 2 at the moment that has wind speeds of 89 kilometers to 100 kilometers per hour, with some gusts up to 125 kilometers an hour.

"We're going to see some of those impacts from those wind gusts, including coastal erosion along the coast from today and tomorrow being Tuesday, and that will actually start to increase as the week progresses. All of our river catchments have now been included in the Flood Watch.

"That Flood Watch is really a preparation tool that the Bureau uses to ensure that all of our visitors, our farmers and all of the residents and businesses have four days or more to ensure that they are prepared. Some of those catchments include the Tweed, the Wilsons, the Richmond, the Clarence, the Orarra, the Brunswick and Marshalls and the Coffs Coast.

"The advice today is that some of those catchments will achieve moderate flooding at some point this week. We are expecting significant rainfall to start from Wednesday, with daily totals of in excess of 100 mm right across the region. Some of those daily totals could actually achieve 300 mm, and that could be on Thursday, Friday or Saturday.

"This rain event, and this wind event is an event that is not common for northern New South Wales. However, in saying that we are prepared. We are conducting a range of different activities right throughout today, tomorrow and Wednesday, to ensure that we are prepared, and you are prepared.

"Take the time today and tomorrow to ensure that you have enough medicines, that you don't need to travel on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and that you are prepared to move if we ask you to. Clear out your gutters, clear out your drains, make sure all your loose items in and around your properties are nice and tied down and secured so they don't become missiles.

"And then look at your medication list and run through what your evacuation plan is. Have a chat with friends and family. Check on your neighbours, see if they're okay. It's a time that we can come together, and the best way to deal with anxiety is being able to control what you can control, and that's what you do. So take the time now to prepare."

For readers living near the coast, Supt McLennan spoke about coastal erosion from waves that will be 3 and 7 metres high.

"Ballina won't necessarily flood, but there will be significant storm surge issues with some of those drains. We are actually working with The Bureau to ensure that we understand where those locations are, and we're actually working to prepare them."

For Lismore, the forecast is that we may see a moderate flood depending on when the rain starts falling. The word from Supt McLennan for Lismore residents and businesses was clear, "Everyone in Lismore understands what their triggers are, and we are actually asking people to realise what their triggers are for themselves, so they can make those decisions early."

With the amount of rain to be dumped on Lismore from Wednesday, flash flooding will be an issue.

"Flash flooding is going to be a major issue with this particular event. We're now asking people just to be mindful of where those flash flood areas are and do not, please do not drive through flood water, even if you have been through there before. Don't drive through it again."

In terms of why we have such a wide range of potential rainfall, Supt McLenna said, "Tropical cyclones pick up more water the slower they are, and Alfred has been moving particularly slowly. So the more the slower he moves towards the coast, the more rain he's going to bring with him. If he moves faster, it'll actually be better, because it won't bring as much rain, but we just have to wait and see. We're preparing for the worst and hoping for the best."

Sandbags, sand and shovels are available in these locations now:

• Lismore Workers Golf Club, Barham Street, East Lismore
• Nesbitt Street Park, Casino Street, South Lismore

There are other sites in Ballina, Yamba, Casino, Kyogle and Woodburn.

• MULLUMBIMBY: Mullumbimby Unit - 33 Coolamon Scenic Drive (for residents of Mullumbimby and Byron)
• OCEAN SHORES: Soccer Field Carpark (Shara Blvd) for residents of Ocean Shores, New Brighton and South Golden Beach
• CASINO: NSW SES Unit - Corner Neville Bienke Memorial Drive and East Street, Casino
• WOODBURN: NSW SES Woodburn Unit– 3 Uralba St, Woodburn
• CORAKI: NSW SES Coraki Unit – 18 Adams Street, Corner of Richmond Terrace & Adams (near the bridge)
• BALLINA: Council Depot – Tamarind Drive (opposite Ballina Fair shopping centre)
• GRAFTON: NSW SES Grafton City Unit – Irene Street, Grafton, NSW 2460

For those with mobility or transport limitations, please call 132 500 for assistance. Drive carefully in the sandbag location and be patient if there is a queue.

You are asked to take your own shovel, and depending on the location, they may have volunteers to help fill the sandbags. However, there will be some locations where you will have to fill your own sandbags.

Communication and miscommunication have been an issue with previous floods, especially as people speculate what will happen on various social media pages. That appears to be one area that has changed since 2022.

"For today and moving forward for us, we are working very closely with all of our political stakeholders. We are working very closely with council. We are working very closely with community. There will be a community meeting held online, and that will be streamed live tonight as well.

For those who wish to join tonight's community meeting, it will be held at at 6pm tonight (3/3/25). Use this link here: https://ow.ly/ypnw50V95wE.

"We will do press conferences every single day at 1230 this week to ensure that you remain informed as quickly as what we do. When the situation changes, we will be out in front with you, helping lead the way and leading the response. We are working very closely with all of our emergency service partners, whether that be Fire and Rescue, New South Wales Police or any of the other partners, including Ambulance New South Wales, to ensure that you remain safe.

"Please heed the warnings when they come. Listen to the advice and please don't leave it to the last minute. If we ask you to evacuate, please evacuate. If you need assistance, always call us on 132 500.

"We've got this Northern Rivers. We've done it before, and we can do it again. Stay informed with Hazards Near Me, or visit us at www.scs.nsw.gov.au if you need any assistance, including preparedness advice, call us on 132, 500.