The NSW SES is advising people in the following area(s) to PREPARE TO EVACUATE due to predicted moderate to major flooding: CorakiLow-lying properties along Richmond Terrace near the Club Hotel and the bowls clubWest Coraki including all properties on Kardina Street, Henderson Street, Box bridge Road, Progress Street, Dibbs Street and Purves StreetCoraki Golf Course.Doonbah and surroundsWoodburn and surrounds including all properties between River Street, Uralba Street, Langs Way and the Pacific MotorwayNorth Woodburn and surrounds including Forest Road, Bank Street and Kilgin RoadBungawalbin and surrounds including properties along Bungawalbin Whiporie Road, and Haughwood RoadYou 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. Evacuation InformationIf you are unable to find accommodation, Evacuation centres have been set up at Evans Head RSL, 11-13 McDonald Place, Evans Head NSW 2473If 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 lying coastal areas.Be advised there is current Watch & Act - Stay indoors warning in place for the Northern Rivers.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.

The daily Tropical Cyclone Alfred update from the Bureau of Meteorology was delayed this morning to provide the latest information on its path and landfall crossing.The reason residents of Lismore and the Northern Rivers woke to calm conditions and even some blue sky was because TC Alfred stalled in the Coral Sea.The BOM's senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said Alfred has started its track towards the Queensland coast once again."Now the reason why this happened is because the high pressure system steering Alfred towards the coast, actually weakened overnight, so that allowed for Tropical Cyclone Alfred to kind of stall and remain well offshore before the high pressure system has re-strengthened this morning, and that's why we've seen a resumption of Tropical Cyclone Alfred head back towards the west, towards the south east, Queensland coast this morning."Alfred's landfall crossing is now expected to be late on Friday night or the early hours of Saturday morning. It will still be a Category 2 system."They're still going to bring these widespread impacts that we've been talking about all week, with damaging to locally destructive winds, particularly around our Bayside and coastal communities, and elevated terrain."Widespread heavy rainfall that will lead to flooding, particularly well south of where Tropical Cyclone Alfred crosses in far south east Queensland and much of north east New South Wales, and dangerous storm surge and storm tide that will lead to significant and major coastal erosion, particularly on the high tides through tonight, Friday and into Saturday. With Alfred's path slowing down overnight, there will be further impacts to the Northern Rivers."The main impacts of the system slowing down are two-fold. Firstly, we're going to have an extended and more prolonged period of significant and major wave heights leading to significant coastal erosion. Some of our offshore buoys have exceeded wave heights in excess of 10 meters, and that energy is going to continue to impact all of our beaches in north east New South Wales and far south east Queensland, leading to major coastal erosion. "The other impact of this system slowing down means we're going to have a longer and prolonged period of heavy rainfall, particularly in north east New South Wales. We've already seen widespread heavy falls through there, and that's going to continue right through Thursday, Friday and Saturday. "This means major flooding is likely for many rivers in north east New South Wales, and could even see moderate to major flooding in parts of South East Queensland as well."Dean mentioned some of the heavier falls in northern NSW were Dorrigo (west of Coffs Harbour) 237mm, Meldrum (west of Dorrigo) 235mm and Mullumbimby 168mm, and they are likely to see more heavy rainfall in the coming days.Lismore received 31.6mm at Lismore Airport to 9am today and 16mm since 9 o'clock, Terania Creek 134mm and Goonengerry 129mm.The forecast for today is for around 50mm for Lismore and 100mm for Ballina and coastal communities. Friday is still the wettest forecast day with rainfall between 70 to 150mm, and another 15 to 80mm on Saturday at this stage.The BOM still has major flooding for the Wilsons River and modertae to major flooding for most river sytems in the Northern Rivers.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced an Early Recovery Grant of $1 million for affected councils following the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.The Prime Minister said this will help local councils with immediate road repairs without dealing with layers of bureaucracy."The money is on its way so that the work can continue absolutely immediately. We want to make sure that as soon as recovery work is physically possible, it gets underway," the PM Albanese said.The PM also said yesterday the government declared a Childcare Subsidy Period of Emergency for childcare services in South East Queensland and northern New South Wales. "That's essentially about making sure that the childcare centres are not financially disadvantaged as well as, of course, then that flow through to people.At the start of the media conference, Mr Albanese said he had spoken to Mayor Steve Krieg."He spoke about what a tough night he's had with himself and his partner. They are still in recovery mode. They've had hit after hit after hit there in that local community, but they are tough. It ended up being a discussion about how they were preparing, and how positive he was that they had put everything in place that they could at the worst of times. We always see the best of Australian character."PM Albanese explained the coordinated approach to the planning for Alfred with no borders, so working with the Premiers and key agency stakeholders in Southeast Queensland and Northern NSW.This morning's TC Alfred update has not been released by the Bureau of Meteorology, as it has on previous mornings. The Bureau of Meteorology has advised that Tropical Cyclone Alfred will now cross land later than previously forecast. It was to be about 2am Friday morning, now it is 5pm Friday evening as it's path was slowed overnight.Alfred is currently 325 kilometres east of Brisbane and 300 kilometres east of the Gold Coast moving west to southwest at 7 kilometres an hour.There were two 'prepare to evacuate' notices for the Northern Rivers last night for the Ballina CBD and Fawcett Street in Kyogle. That is also the case further north at Uki, especially for low lying properties along Kyogle Road, Meadow Place and Smiths Creek.This morning, there are more warnings to avoid coastal areas due to coastal erosion, they are Sharpes Beach at Lennox Head and Shelley Beach at East Ballina.The NSW SES is warning residents to stay indoors as Alfred approaches, even though conditions this morning have been surprisingly calm with little wind and rain.As the Prime Minister said at the start of his media conference this morning, "These are tough times, but Australians are tough people, and we're resilient people." That certainly applies to the people of Lismore and the Northern Rivers.There is another media conference with Premier of NSW Chris Minns, Minister for Emergency Service Jihad Dibb, Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin, CEO of the NSW Reconstruction Authority Mal Lanyon, SES Acting Chief Superintendent and Scott Tanner, LEOCON, NSW Police Superintendent, to provide an update on Tropical Cyclone Alfred at 11:30am.

Lismore City Council has implemented its emergency plan to prepare for the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.CARPARK CLOSURESAs at 5pm yesterday, council closed the following CBD carparks:Hensley CarparkKirkland Riviera / Benelong CarparkRowing Club CarparkLISMORE LEVEE FULLY OPERATIONALCouncil reassured the community that the Lismore Levee System, including pumps, gates and levees, are fully operational.All damage sustained during the 2022 disaster impacting levee integrity or pump operation has been repaired. Lismore is ready to operate the levee operational plan.RIVER GAUGES FULLY OPERATIONALAll river and rain gauges are fully operational and are reporting accurate and frequent data through to SES and BOM.Their operational capabilities will continue to be closely monitored.TRACTOR PUMP MOBILISED AND PUMP STATIONS FULLY OPERATIONALCouncil has mobilised assets in preparation for an event. A tractor has been positioned on Molesworth Street near the Lismore Transit Centre to assist with water removal should gravity drainage become ineffective.The tractor powers a pump operating at approximately 600L/s, helping to keep the CBD open for an extended period. Browns Creek Pump Station will also support efforts to maintain CBD accessibility. All Lismore water pump stations are fully operational and ready to activate if water levels rise.TEMPORARY PUMP MOBILISED – THREE CHAIN ROADCouncil has deployed a temporary pump on the earth levee at Three Chain Road, South Lismore.This pump will support water removal on Three Chain Road and Wilson Street, helping to keep these streets open for an extended period.

Red Cross Deputy Leader Jenny Dowell spoke about the Red Cross' role during the Tropical Cyclone Alfred weather event."Red Cross's role, predominantly in the evacuation centre at this stage will be to be offer psychological first aid. So that means, not just for the people who've prepared their house or property physically, but also to encourage people to think about preparing their mind. "That means recognising that these emotions that people are feeling at this stage are really real and warranted, but also thinking about how you can control those emotions, particularly for the sake of people around you, and I'm particularly mentioning that for parents, the children pick up on the anxiety of parents."So if parents learn and are able to speak to their children in calm ways, that can help the children cope. And talking with the children about why we're leaving, what we need to take and reassuring children that they will be safe. That's really important. "That PFA, psychological first aid, is also what we are providing in evacuation centres. So, I encourage people to go to the Red Cross website. On the front page of that website are things to do with emergency management, and managing your emotions, and preparing so we will get through this with the help of these wonderful agencies around us. "We encourage people to reach out to their neighbors, to their friends, check in, offer a place for friends to stay if those friends are in the flood zone, remember and plan for your pets, and really importantly, be as calm as you can to make the best decisions that you need to make at the time that you make them."Jenny highlighted that the work they have been doing has been ongoing since 2022."We know it's really important for our community to be prepared for any emergency. We also know that our community has a high level of anxiety because of the memory of three years ago. And we also have new people in our community who perhaps come into the flood zone, who perhaps are unaware. We have also lots of people with elderly neighbors.""Red Cross and the other agencies have been running community gatherings to build up the community's ability to support each other. It's really supporting each other, not just what will help people get through this emergency stage, but to help people in the recovery stage as well. So that's been going on continually, and many people are now more prepared, not just prepared physically, but more prepared mentally, for these things. "That's not to take away the fact that this is a really difficult situation for very many people. And emotions are high.

Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) will reschedule planned surgery and temporarily suspend outpatient services over the next two days as the impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred begins to take effect across the region.Temporary changes to medical services are being made to allow NNSWLHD to prioritise the emergency medical response and provide the best possible care for patients, while ensuring the safety and welfare of staff.Planning is underway to ensure ongoing care for the community, with NNSWLHD activating its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and emergency management plans.All necessary steps are being taken to prepare for this major event, including potential impacts from heavy rainfall and flooding, high winds and tidal inundation of low-lying areas.  To help focus on emergency care, the following service changes will apply on Thursday, 6 March and Friday, 7 March 2025:All planned surgery and outpatient services will be postponed and rescheduled for as soon as possible. Urgent cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, will be brought forward to Thursday morning.Any postponed planned surgeries will be rescheduled. We are contacting patients to confirm further details. Community Health services will suspend outpatient appointments on Thursday and Friday.Hospital in the Home (HiTH) services, including palliative care, will temporarily stop taking referrals. Patient cases will be reviewed and strategies put in place to facilitate care while not conducting home visits over this time.BreastScreen NSW services will be closed from 5 – 9 March at Tweed Heads, Murwillumbah, Ballina and Grafton, with services at Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie under review.Communications have gone out to all impacted patients, community and health service providers.Wherever possible, patients have been discharged from facilities across NNSWLHD where clinically appropriate, and increased patient transport services introduced to help with transfers.Northern NSW Local Health District Chief Executive Tracey Maisey said, “We are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.“We have made temporary changes to our services to ensure we are appropriately resourced and can focus on providing the best possible care for our community over the coming days, while providing certainty for patients and staff.“We know some staff will be affected by this weather event. We are supporting our staff to stay safe, while also ensuring we can continue to deliver health services to the Northern Rivers community.“All necessary steps are being taken to prepare for this major event, including ensuring our facilities are stocked with sufficient medication, food and linen supplies, with contingencies in place for potential power and communication outages.“We know many people may be feeling concerned about the approaching weather event and we encourage them to seek help if needed. Please check our social media pages for useful links to get help.”Helpful resources:If your life is in danger, please call Triple Zero.If you or someone you know needs specialist mental health care, please call the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511. It is a free service operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is staffed by specialist mental health professionals who offer mental health advice, and referrals to local mental health services.If you need crisis support, please call Lifeline Australia at any time on 13 11 14. Children and young people can call Kids Helpline at any time on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.auFor non-crisis support, please call beyondblue on 1300 22 46 36. There’s also a range of online resources to support you and your loved ones. Please visit Beyondblue and Lifeline online. Young people should visit heaspace.org.au, Kids Helpline or ReachOut.comMore information on mental health services and support can be found on the NSW Health website at www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/services/Pages/default.aspxFor free health advice anytime day or night, call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. Need support in your language? You can call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask for Healthdirect.

In response to Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC) has been activated to support the multi-agency response.The predicted conditions have potential to damage homes and property, as well as possibly causing trees and powerlines to fall.The Public Information and Inquiry Centre can be contacted by calling 1800 227 228.You can contact the Public Information and Inquiry Centre for information relating to severe weather and flooding anticipated when the cyclone makes landfall.It will operate on a 24-hour basis until the weather system abates.The NSW Police Force has also activated the ‘Register Find Reunite’ capability, to assist in the registration of those who have been displaced by the floods in north of the State.Police are encouraging those within the impacted flood areas to register their movements using the Australian Red Cross’ ‘Register, Find, Reunite’ service.The Register, Find, Reunite website – https://www.redcross.org.au/emergencies/about-register-find-reunite/ – is a National system managed and operated by Australian Red Cross.It is a service which registers, finds and reunites family, friends and loved ones after an Emergency. It allows people to:Register to let people know they are safe,Find people who may be affected by an emergency and know they are safe, andReunite through a matching process which enables police – with consent – to share details of family and friends with each other.State Emergency Operations Controller, Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell, has appealed for the public to not become complacent.“Members of the public in flood affected areas need to heed the warnings and advice of the NSW State Emergency Service and all emergency services. “Our message is clear – do not put your life or that of emergency service personnel in danger. “Floodwater is extremely dangerous as it can have fast moving undercurrents that can wash people and vehicles away. “During this weather event, avoid going outside and if you do drive, plan ahead – pay attention to RMS message boards for road closures or hazardous conditions, and never drive, ride or walk through floodwater,” Deputy Commissioner Thurtell said.For the latest on road closures, visit the website www.livetraffic.com or contact their local councils.It should be noted this inquiry hotline does not replace the State Emergency Service emergency hotline. If you are seeking emergency assistance during a flood or storm, call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500, or visit their website www.ses.nsw.gov.au. For all other emergencies, the public are advised to contact Triple Zero.

Essential Energy crews are preparing for the impact of Cyclone Alfred, which is expected to cause widespread power outages due to high winds and flooding along the NSW coast from the Queensland border to the Mid North Coast.An Emergency Operations Centre has been set up at Tweed Heads, and additional crews, portable generators, fuel pods, and mobile communication systems are being brought into the area.“We are working with a range of other agencies to prepare and plan for a multi-organisational approach to the clean-up and restoration efforts if the power system in the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast is impacted,” an Essential Energy spokesperson said.Customers are encouraged to prepare for the possibility of losing power for several days, depending on the extent of damage to the network and the location of floodwaters.Essential Energy crews will restore power as soon as it is safe to do so but cannot operate in floodwaters, lightning, or extreme weather conditions.Residents are advised to:Secure loose items around propertiesRecharge phones and laptopsHave alternative power sources for water pumps and cookingUnplug sensitive electrical equipment during stormsKeep a torch and battery-powered radio handyCreate an emergency planIf you see fallen powerlines, burnt areas, or injured livestock, stay at least 8 metres away, call Essential Energy on 13 20 80, and wait for the all-clear.For updates, visit the Essential Energy Outages page.In an emergency, always call 000.

The key message from the 12:30pm briefing by NSW SES and Police was to Stay Indoors and only travel if there is a necessity or if you are leaving your house to move to a safe place.Acting Chief Superintendent Stuart Fisher is the NSW State Emergency Service Operations Commander for this event said, "I cannot underestimate to the public the severity of this event that's about to encroach on us. We would suggest that if they can evacuate or to move out of the danger zones, they do so now. Our concern going forward is once the trees and power lines come down due to the strong winds, they may impede their egress out of the area. It may also impede the access for emergency services to get into those areas."There will be some who think that they can wait until the last minute to get out, and again, we're asking them to leave. Now the problem, as we all know, these people will try and drive through flooded waters that no doubt will put them at risk, will put our volunteers at risk and the other services trying to rescue them. So again, we ask if they wish to leave, they should do so now."District Commander of the Richmond Police District Scott Tanner said, "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."Commander Tanner said at this stage there are no evacuation orders in place. However, communities at high risk like Lismore, the CBD and North and South Lismore and Kyogle should seriously consider leaving their houses and go to family and friends or as a last resort, an evacuation centre.Acting Supt Fisher said the main concern right now is coastal erosion, dangerous four to seven metre waves followed by severe and destructive winds."Those winds will get up to around 120 kilometers per hour, and that will be then followed by torrential and heavy rain. If members of the public have not already thought about evacuating or moving to outside the danger zone, we are now asking them, if it's safe to do so, to think about enacting your plan and moving out of what you may think is the low risk or low lying areas.Acting Supt Fisher then went on to describe the resources that have moved into the area to help with Alfred's aftermath."NSW SES have substantial resources up here at the moment. We have expert and professional flood rescue crews on standby from today. We have highly trained storm crews up here from today, we have high clearance vehicles to assist in any of those flooded areas. We have what we will call 'cell on wheels' for emergency communications, and we have a number of our emergency services partners, including, NSW Police, Fire and Rescue, VRA and Surf Life Saving up here to support us as well."State headquarters has ADF (Australian Defence Force) representation down there, and they are talking with them. If we need to bring them in, they'll they'll be in that discussion.""We have at least six helicopters placed in Grafton and Casino. The problem with helicopters is they can only fly in reasonable weather. Our concern will be that, and again, members probably need to understand that they can't fly during extreme weather, so it's high winds, torrential rain, but we do have them on standby, ready to go when we can get them up."Senator Tony Sheldon, Special Envoy for Disaster Recovery for the Federal Government mentioned a S61 (Sikorsky) helicopter is also ready to do a heavy lift supply and move people to assist in what we might be facing over the next few days and beyond.As for the potential rainfall and resulting flooding, Acting Supt Fisher said we are expecting between 300 and 400mm of rain over the next three days. However, there is a serious concern."One of the concerns is if the cyclone, once it reaches landfall, it may stall. And if that's the case, that would severely increase the rainfall to around 600 to 700 mm of rain. So, we are hoping that it does what it's supposed to do."As for the million dollar question on business owners' lips in the CBD, will the Lismore levee overtop?"We have information that the levy may top. We're looking at, I'll come back with the figure for you, but we are looking at that to top. We are now putting measures in place. We have spoken to the communities down there. We have spoken to the shopkeepers, and they're preparing for that. I believe that will happen Friday to Saturday."Acting Supt Fisher said he believes both Lismore catchment area, Wilsons River to the northeast and Terania Creek to the northwest will receive rain.For those worried about sandbags, or the lack thereof, another 100,000 were on their way to the Northern Rivers today. A fresh load of sand was delivered to the sandbagging area at the Lismore Golf Club on Barham Street at about 11am today.Already, SES crews have been called to attend property damage for leaking roofs, which is expected to increase to flood rescues and substantial leaking of property and flood inundation of property in the coming days.Commander Tanner said he felt confident that this time emergency services are much better prepared."We've only got to have a drive around town and see the amount of extra resource that we've got in town. So on top of the SES, there's RFS crews that are coming to town. We have Fire and Rescue Swift Water Crews. We have over 24 Police Rescue Units that have come into town. So, I'm very confident that with the community's support, that we are in a well prepared position to make sure that everyone can get through this unscathed. I want to really reinforce, though, that this is dependent on the community and their actions, they need to make their own assessments where they are right now, and is it safe to be where you are? If not, you need to go where it is safe."Senator Sheldon concluded today's event by saying, "I just want to remind everybody to make sure you've got your emergency plan there. Make sure you're not going through floods, and also a great call out to the Northern Rivers. You are ready, I know you are determined to make sure this goes smoothly. Look after each other, and certainly keep in contact with the SES and your authorities, make sure you get the right advice, and clear advice about what next steps to take."More updates when they appear.

The Bureau of Meteorology has indicated that Cyclone Alfred (category 2) will make landfall early Friday morning (March 7) with wind and rain significantly impacting Northern NSW.The Lismore Australian Breastfeeding Association volunteer team has prepared ‘what to pack’ checklists for babies who are breastfed / expressed milk fed / mixed-fed / formula fed.Packing an evacuation kit with all the items needed to care for your baby or toddler for at least three days is an important step you can take to prepare for an emergency.The following evacuation kit lists provide information on what to pack for a:breastfed babybaby fed expressed breastmilktoddlerbaby fed formulaResources to help emergency responders and volunteers provide support to families with young children during a disaster are available here.For more information the Breastfeeding Helpline is available 24/7 on 1800 686 268.

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 4PMLISMORESouthern Cross University: Rifle Range Road, East Lismore (the same location as the 2022 flood in the Health Precinct)BALLINASouthern Cross Public School: Chickiba Dr, East BallinaALSTONVILLEAlstonville High School: Cawley Close, AlstonvilleKYOGLEKyogle Memorial Hall: Stratheden Street, KyogleEVANS HEADEvans Head RSL: 11-13 McDonald Place, Evans HeadTYALGUMTyalgum Community Hall: Coolman Street, TyalgumCORAKICoraki Public School: 50 Adams Street, CorakiBURRINGBARBurringbar Sports Club: Fourth Avenue, BurringbarUKIUki Hall: 1642 Kyogle Road, UkiTWEED HEADS / BYRON BAY - OPEN FROM 4PMBANORA POINTBanora Point Salvation Army: The Centre Cnr Leisure and Woodlands Drive, Banora PointKINGSCLIFFKingscliff TAFE: 806 Cudgen Road, KingscliffMURWILLUMBAHMurwillumbah TAFE: 146 Murwillumbah Street, MurwillumbahMULLUMBIMBYMullumbimby RSL: 58 Dalley Street, MullumbimbyOCEAN SHORESOcean Shores County Club: 113A Orana Road, Ocean ShoresTERRANORATerranora Public School: 650 Terranora Road, TerranoraFor 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.

A man will face court today charged after allegedly attempting to steal a NSW SES boat in Goonellabah overnight.About 9.20pm yesterday (Tuesday, 4 March 2025), police were called to a carpark on the Bruxner Highway, Goonellabah.Police were told that a man allegedly attempted to detach the hitch and safety chains between a boat trailer and NSW SES vehicle, before members of the public intervened and the man left the scene in his vehicle.As police were searching, they were called to Dibbs Street, Lismore, where the man's vehicle had been located.Police stopped and spoke with a 43-year-old man when they found a camper trailer nearby, which police will allege the man also attempted to steal.The 43-year-old man allegedly refused to undergo a roadside breath test, and he was arrested and taken to Lismore Police Station.There he underwent a breath analysis that returned an alleged reading of 0.152.Inquiries also revealed that the man's licence had been suspended.He was charged with two counts of attempt steal vessel, drive with high-range PCA, and drive motor vehicle while licence suspended.He was refused bail to appear before Lismore Local Court today (Wednesday, 5 March 2025).

The NSW Department of Education has closed 121 schools from the Clarence Valley north to the Queensland border, and inland to the Kyogle Shire due to potential impacts from Tropical Cyclone (TC) Alfred, including a heightened risk of flooding.They are non-operational from today, Wednesday 5 March, through to Friday 7 March 2025."We request families do not send your children to school for the next three days. Our school staff will be onsite this morning in case the message is not received in time," a spokesperson said."At this stage we expect schools to resume operations on Monday 10 March 2025."As always, the safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority."We have taken these steps to ensure we are prepared for the worst, while still hoping for the best."We know a lot of our North Coast communities have been through some difficult periods in recent years."We want to do everything we can to ensure our school communities are well supported and our staff and students are as safe as they can be."The SES has asked that families prepare their homes for strong winds, by putting away loose items around their home, trimming trees aways from properties and not parking vehicles under trees or powerlines."Never drive, walk, ride through, play or swim in flood water, and any avoid unnecessary travel.Download the Hazards Near Me App to stay across the latest warnings and information.Call the NSW SES on 132 500 if you need emergency assistance in floods and storms. In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000).For more information, visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au.List of closed schoolsCasino Public SchoolChatsworth Island Public SchoolLeeville Public SchoolDrake Public SchoolEvans River Community SchoolGulmarrad Public SchoolHarwood Island Public SchoolIluka Public SchoolLawrence Public SchoolOld Bonalbo Public SchoolPalmers Island Public SchoolRappville Public SchoolMummulgum Public SchoolWoodburn Public SchoolStratheden Public SchoolTabulam Public SchoolYamba Public SchoolMaclean Public SchoolBonalbo Central SchoolCasino West Public SchoolMaclean High SchoolCasino High SchoolEmpire Vale Public SchoolFernleigh Public SchoolRous Public SchoolNewrybar Public SchoolWardell Public SchoolBroadwater Public SchoolByron Bay Public SchoolCabbage Tree Island Public SchoolBallina Public SchoolBangalow Public SchoolLennox Head Public SchoolSouthern Cross Public SchoolTeven-Tintenbar Public SchoolBallina Coast High SchoolByron Bay High SchoolClunes Public SchoolCoraki Public SchoolLismore Public SchoolEltham Public SchoolGoonellabah Public SchoolLismore South Public SchoolRosebank Public SchoolWollongbar Public SchoolTregeagle Public SchoolWyrallah Public SchoolWyrallah Road Public SchoolLismore Heights Public SchoolCaniaba Public SchoolAlstonville Public SchoolBexhill Public SchoolAlbert Park Public SchoolWilson Park SchoolThe Rivers Sec C Lismore High CampusThe Rivers Sec C Richmnd Riv High CampusThe Rivers Sec C Kadina High CampusAlstonville High SchoolThe Channon Public SchoolCoffee Camp Public SchoolCollins Creek Public SchoolCorndale Public SchoolDunoon Public SchoolEureka Public SchoolJiggi Public SchoolKyogle Public SchoolLarnook Public SchoolManifold Public SchoolThe Risk Public SchoolWhian Whian Public SchoolModanville Public SchoolNimbin Central SchoolUrbenville Public SchoolWiangaree Public SchoolWoodenbong Central SchoolAfterlee Public SchoolBlakebrook Public SchoolBarkers Vale Public SchoolSouthern Cross School of Distance EdDorroughby Environmental Ed CentreKyogle High SchoolCondong Public SchoolCudgen Public SchoolDungay Public SchoolDuranbah Public SchoolFingal Head Public SchoolTumbulgum Public SchoolTweed Heads Public SchoolTerranora Public SchoolPottsville Beach Public SchoolKingscliff Public SchoolBanora Point Public SchoolBilambil Public SchoolTweed Heads South Public SchoolCentaur Public SchoolBogangar Public SchoolCaldera SchoolBanora Point High SchoolTweed River High SchoolMullumbimby High SchoolChillingham Public SchoolCoorabell Public SchoolCrabbes Creek Public SchoolCrystal Creek Public SchoolGoonengerry Public SchoolThe Pocket Public SchoolMullumbimby Public SchoolMurwillumbah Public SchoolTyalgum Public SchoolUki Public SchoolWilsons Creek Public SchoolStokers Siding Public SchoolMain Arm Upper Public SchoolUpper Coopers Creek Public SchoolBrunswick Heads Public SchoolBurringbar Public SchoolOcean Shores Public SchoolMurwillumbah East Public SchoolMurwillumbah High SchoolKingscliff High SchoolWollumbin High School

The NSW Government is set to ban private electronic monitoring for people on bail.Currently, individuals can ask courts to order private electronic monitoring as part of their bail conditions if they nominate and offer to pay for a provider, which can cost these individuals thousands of dollars per year. Courts can order private electronic monitoring as a bail condition if a judicial officer is satisfied that the condition is reasonably necessary to address a bail concern, and the monitoring meets prescribed minimum standards. Under 120 people on bail in NSW are currently being monitored by private companies and there are several businesses providing this service in NSW. The Government will work to put in place transitional arrangements to ensure people with private electronic monitoring arrangements are dealt with before the courts expeditiously.Understandable concerns have been raised about the limitations on the justice system’s ability to oversee private providers, including the risks posed by a provider suddenly ceasing to operate. Accordingly, the NSW Government has decided to ban private electronic monitoring for people on bail.This change will require legislation, which the government will develop in close concert with stakeholders, including police and victims' advocates, with community safety front of mind. A ban on private electronic monitoring for bail will not impact other types of electronic monitoring managed by Corrective Services NSW, such as mandatory electronic monitoring for serious domestic violence offenders introduced in 2024 or for offenders on parole.Attorney General Michael Daley said, “Community safety is this government’s paramount concern. The regulation of private electronic monitoring is a complex issue that is not unique to NSW.“Recently, we have seen the burden that can be placed on police and the justice system when questions are raised about a private provider and its monitoring of alleged offenders on bail.“It is clear that the system needs to change – and that is what we intend to do.“The Government will carefully work through the details of the proposed legislative change, conscious of those individuals currently subject to private electronic monitoring conditions.“At the same time we will work to put in place transitional arrangements to ensure people with private electronic monitoring arrangements are dealt with before the courts expeditiously.”

There have been no surprises with Tropical Cyclone Alfred's path in the last 24 hours. The landfall crossing is slightly further south, with the Bureau of Meteorology saying Brisbane is the likely location with the crossing likely at 2am on Friday morning, give an hour or two either side. As was stated yesterday, significant impacts are expected over large areas away from the landfall point, especially on the southern side of the cyclone, so Northern NSW.Christie Johnson, a senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology said Alfred is still a Category 2 system that is currently 500km east of Brisbane, over the Coral Sea.There are a number of warnings in place for Lismore and Northern NSW."A tropical cyclone warning is current for communities from the Queensland border south to just north of Grafton. "A severe weather warning has also been issued for the Northern Rivers area, as well as parts of the mid north coast and the northern table lands due to the expected heavy to intense rainfall and damaging to destructive winds. So that heavy rainfall is expected to start to develop on Thursday, with intense rain coming late Thursday night or early Friday morning, which may lead to life threatening flash flooding, especially around the east-facing slopes of the Northern Rivers and the northern Tablelands. "Damaging winds are expected to develop today, but destructive winds with gusts up to possibly around 150 kilometers an hour more are possible in areas north of Grafton, late on Thursday and early on Friday."A coastal hazard warning stretches from the Queensland border all the way down to the mid north coast, around Forster for abnormally high tides and damaging surf, and a hazardous surf warning extends down to the Illawarra today and will extend to the Eden coast on Thursday. So this means dangerous conditions on the foreshore and out on the water, and it does mean dangerous conditions for activities such as swimming, boating and fishing. "There's also marine wind warnings with a storm force wind warning for the Byron coast, gale warnings for the Macquarie coast and a strong wind warning for the Hunter coast. "Flooding is also possible from later today, as rain increases and a flood watch is current for the Northern Rivers and mid north coast areas with widespread moderate to major flooding. Moderate to major flooding may develop from Thursday in the Flood Watch area, and we're also expecting possible flash flooding, and also high tides and large waves are expected to increase the flood risk and the impact in low lying coastal areas."Christie said that our Wednesday outlook is to expect winds to increase along the coastal fringe and then extend inland as the day progresses. "Within the tropical cyclone warning area, we also will start to see showers and isolated thunderstorms on and near the coast becoming heavier at times later today, and large waves and hazardous coastal conditions will continue as we move into tomorrow, Thursday, we will see the damaging to destructive winds developing as the tropical cyclone approaches. "These are sustained winds that can cause significant damage to property and vegetation. We'll also see that heavy to intense rainfall developing and isolated thunderstorms. So we'll likely to see flash flooding, and then as totals build, riverine flooding developing as well. And of course, those large waves and hazardous coastal conditions that will continue once the tropical cyclone makes landfall. "Following landfall, the danger isn't over. We will continue to see heavy rain and significant winds persisting and extending inland and down the New South Wales coast, and of course, flooding impacts will continue over the weekend and into early next week."Lismore has recorded 11.4mm to 9am on Tuesday and 9.6mm to 8am today (Wednesday) at Lismore Airport. The forecast is still for 35mm to 140mm on Thursday, 35 to 150mm on Friday and 25 to 100mm on Saturday before an easing on Sunday 2 to 30mm.You can stay up to date with the latest weather information from The Bureau via the Lismore App Weather or directly through their website http://www.bom.gov.au/index.php. There will be another report later today following the 12:30pm media briefing at NSW SES Northern Rivers Headquarters in Goonellabah.

With Lismore and the Northern Rivers on cyclone watch, residents are being urged to check and charge their batteries, as an important part of their preparation.Supermarkets have been inundated with people looking to stock up with food supplies, and Battery World Lismore owner, Greg Woolley, says batteries are a critical, but often overlooked, part of any emergency kit.“There’s no point having a torch, if there’s no way of powering it up,” he said. “Just about everyone has a battery drawer at home, but the contents can be random or out of date.“Taking the time to plan really could save your life and the lives of your family. Our advice is to be prepared and make sure your emergency preparedness kits are checked annually.”Top tips for making sure your batteries are ready for TC Alfred:Check what size your torch/radio/appliances takeEnsure you have adequate supply of all sizesCheck the expiry dates on your existing batteries, to ensure they haven’t lost chargeCharge all your portable devices before the storm hitsObtain and charge a power bank, so you can keep your mobile running if power remains out for a period.“Batteries are often something people forget about until they need them, but they can be a lifesaver during natural disasters,” said Battery World’s General Manager, Johnny Kennedy.“Having enough spare batteries for three days is recommended along with portable battery-operated AM/FM radiowith spare batteries (AA/AAA) and waterproof torches with extra batteries.“If you find yourself sheltering in your home without power, you’ll need to keep up with all local updates. Having a means of lighting and some charging capability is also imperative,” he added.EMERGENCY KIT SUPPLIESPowered Items:Torch (battery or wind-up)Portable phone charger and cableBattery powered radioExtra batteriesSolar powered generator Food & water itemsFood & Water Items:Water for three days (10 litres per person)Non-perishable food for three daysCan opener, cutlery & plates Medical & personal items:First aid kitMedications and prescriptionsWarm protective clothing and shoesSturdy glovesToiletries (for example toilet paper, sanitiser, face masks, toothpaste, soap, baby nappies) Important documentsImportant Documents:Emergency phone numbersPassports and identificationCashInsurance papers and property deedsBirth and marriage certificatesPhotographs and keepsakesStore your important documents in sealed plastic bags or keep a digital copy on a USB or secure online storage.Pet supplies:Food and waterToysBeddingMedication

As was mentioned at yesterday's media briefing at SES Headquarters in Goonellabah, deployments of additional crews from the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) have begun arriving in Lismore and the Northern Rivers and the Mid North Coast as the NSW Government ramps up preparations for the potential impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.The NSW SES is leading the response and working with other emergency services and government agencies to get ready for the cyclone, which is expected to cross the Queensland coast Thursday night or Friday morning.The NSW SES will be able to draw from thousands of volunteers with support from flood rescue trained emergency service personnel across NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW, and Marine Rescue NSW. All are equipped with flood response and wider capabilities.Residents should prepare for damaging winds, large surf, and heavy rainfall, with impacts of the cyclone forecast to be felt from as early as today. Low lying areas may be at risk of coastal erosion.From today (Wednesday) onwards, predictions are for intense rain, which could lead to moderate and major flooding in many areas, with the potential to close roads, inundate properties and lead to evacuations.The NSW SES State Command Centre has been stood up in preparation for the severe weather. As well as additional personnel, the NSW SES is prepositioning communication equipment, aviation resources and specialised vehicles ahead of the forecasted impacts of the cyclone. The deployment to date includes two helicopters, two ‘Cells on Wheels’ (emergency service communication hubs), two high clearance vehicles, and a Wi-Fi connectivity trailer, along with back-up generators to support telecommunications towers.NSW SES, in partnership with local councils, have established numerous sandbag stations across the impact footprint to assist communities to defend their properties. Residents requiring advice on sandbag stations can check NSW SES social media pages or contact 132 500. More than 1,500 calls for information and preparedness advice have been received by the NSW SES so far.NSW SES is facilitating community meetings in towns across the impacted areas to ensure residents are aware of the risks, forecasts and how to prepare.We would encourage communities to prepare, but there’s no need to panic buy. Supermarkets have good supply chains and transport links are currently open. If your community becomes isolated and needs resupply of essential goods, NSW SES and other emergency services agencies will assist with this.Local communities are urged to monitor weather conditions and ensure they have a plan for their family and pets if asked to evacuate. Resident should also prepare for possible power outages, in the case of damage to infrastructure such as trees falling onto power lines.Residents should download the ‘Hazards Near Me’ App which will include the latest warnings and information for impacted communities.  People are also encouraged to prepare an emergency kit with essential items including identification documents, medications, a torch, mobile phone charger and a battery-operated radio. For assistance during floods and storms call the NSW SES on 132 500 or Triple Zero (000) for life threatening emergencies. All emergency service agencies are ready to support affected communities.People who require mental health support can also call the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511. It is a free service operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is staffed by specialist mental health professionals who offer mental health advice, and referrals to local mental health services.Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said, “The NSW Government is supporting the NSW State Emergency Service as they do all they can to prepare ahead of Tropical Cyclone Alfred crossing the coast later this week.“Now is the time for residents in the affected areas to get ready for damaging winds, large powerful surf, coastal erosion, and intense and heavy rainfall.“We are asking the community to take steps now to ensure that if you are asked to evacuate your home you have a plan for this and know where you will go.“Please download the Hazards Near Me App which will include the latest warnings and information for impacted communities.”Minister for the North Coast Rose Jackson said, “Keeping people safe is our top priority. Emergency teams are mobilised and a comprehensive whole-of-government plan is underway.“Now is the time to get ready—have an evacuation plan, stay informed and follow SES advice. Download the Hazards Near Me app for local updates and check in on your neighbours.“The Northern Rivers community is strong and resilient, but we know this weather event is causing a real concern. We assure the community - emergency services are on the ground and ready to help.”Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said, “I continue to receive regular briefings and updates from the SES, police and other combat agencies, and the message I’m giving to people here on the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast is to listen to their advice and be prepared for what is a rare, unpredictable weather event for our region.“All forecasting points to us experiencing a lot of strong winds and heavy rainfall as Tropical Cyclone Alfred heads towards the coast and crosses land.“Our emergency services are putting more personnel and resources in place. The community can help them by securing their properties or businesses in a practical sense, and wherever possible, stay at home and not take to the roads, waiting for the danger period to pass, then keep an eye on river levels afterwards.”    Commissioner of the NSW State Emergency Services Mike Wassing said, “This has the potential to be a serious weather event. Over the coming days, we expect to see strong winds continue, followed by intense and heavy rainfall.“NSW SES crews and emergency service partners are prepositioned across the region to respond to incidents as they arise.  “Assets including communication equipment, high clearance vehicles, aircraft, and support personnel have been prepositioned across Northern NSW. “NSW SES is facilitating community meetings in towns across the impacted areas to ensure residents are aware of the risks, forecasts and how to prepare.”

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Severe Weather Warning for HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL and DAMAGING, LOCALLY DESTRUCTIVE WINDS for Lismore and the Northern Rivers.As forecast, Tropical Cyclone Alfred has started to move west towards the southeast Queensland coast this afternoon. This motion will continue through Wednesday with the system expected to make landfall along the Southeast Queensland Coast on Thursday night or Friday morning between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. Heavy rainfall and damaging winds will extend well to the south of the centre of the system over parts of the Northern Rivers, Northern Tablelands and Mid North Coast.HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop about parts of the Mid North Coast, Northern Rivers and Northern Tablelands during Thursday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 60 and 110 mm and 24-hour totals between 100 and 200 mm are likely. Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING may develop during Thursday evening and continue into Friday. Six-hour rainfall totals between 200 and 250 mm and 24-hour totals between 300 and 400 mm are possible, particularly around the eastern-facing slopes in the Northern Rivers and Northern Tablelands. These figures are dependent on the movement and position of the system.DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 65 km/h with peak gusts to 120 km/h are likely to develop over northeastern New South Wales north of Grafton during Wednesday, and continue throughout Thursday and Friday. DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS up to 150 km/h may develop north of Grafton late Thursday or early Friday.A Tropical Cyclone Advice and Forecast Track Map is current for Tropical Cyclone Alfred.A Coastal Hazard Warning and Hazardous Surf Warning is current.A Flood Watch is current for northeast New South Wales.For these products, please refer to: http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings/Locations which may be affected include Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay, Ballina, Casino, Kyogle, Yamba, Maclean, Woolgoolga, Sawtell and Dorrigo.The State Emergency Service advises that people should:Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water.Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 9:00 pm AEDT Tuesday.

At the 12:30pm daily media briefing at NSW SES Northern Rivers Headquarters in Goonellabah today, Joanna Jones, New South Wales SES Incident Controller (IC) for the weather event associated with Tropical Cyclone Alfred said it is still difficult to predict where it will cross the mainland and difficult to predict what will happen."In the Northern Rivers, we are expecting moderate to major flooding, strong winds, extremely high and dangerous surf and the normal debris associated with storm damage."The flooding that we may experience might be flash flooding, which happens very quickly and can be extremely dangerous. There might be little to no warning of flash flooding. Riverine flooding takes a little bit longer, and is associated with heavy rainfall over a prolonged period."IC Jones asked the community for help by taking some responsibility to keep informed and act when you are asked to do so by emergency services. She then went through the warning systems."A number of warnings have already been issued. These are currently advice level warnings. They are asking the community to prepare for the impacts of this weather system."If we see an escalation in impacts, an escalation in rain, those strong winds affect northern New South Wales, the community might see those warnings escalate to orange, which says that they have to do certain things in order to stay safe."Then there is the emergency alert, the red triangle. The red triangle is very serious. It says something has to be done now. Please educate yourself about the warning systems. Please keep in contact with what's happening through news and SES media, and the Hazards Near Me app."IC Jones cyclone tracking changes every six hours, and that is when they are updated.CBD businesses were busy packing up their shops today, preparing for the chance the levee wall is topped over the weekend, understanding the 130km/h cyclonic winds will make it unsafe to do so from Thursday onwards. Car yards and truck centres were moving stock to higher ground.Some sandbagging locations ran out of sand yesterday; however, IC Jones said the SES has ordered 50,000 sandbags, so they will be replaced on a regular basis.As far as SES and Emergency Services preparation is concerned, it is stepping up a gear."We have been preparing for this event for a number of days. As a result, the resources, both physical resources and personnel, are moving into the area. We're using every emergency service agency that we have at our disposal. All our emergency service partners are involved. All the councils are involved. All levels of government are assisting.Scott Tanner, District Commander for the Richmond Police District and the local Emergency Operation Controller, added to the support personnel."New South Wales Police are here to support the combat agency, being the SES. We're providing logistical support in the form of extra rescue operators that are being deployed from the western area of the state and also from the metropolitan area. We also have our aviation command bringing assets up into this area. As of tomorrow, we'll have a fully functioning Emergency Operations Centre, and that will be there to assist the SES."The thing about the Northern Rivers is that the community are well aware of the risks. We've been through this many times. So what we are asking, is that community members put their game face on, understand what their risks are. If they've got a plan to leave the area, they do so early and as the SES said, when the weather impact does happen, to stay off the roads."If you don't need to be on the road, don't. If you can avoid travel at this stage, I would suggest to delay it until this weather event has passed.Commander Tanner was an integral part of the Lismore and Northern Rivers rescue and recovery during the 2022 floods from the Emergency Operations Centre at SCU. He believes lessons have been learnt."I think we are well versed as emergency services organisations. We learnt a lot from the 2022 flood. We put a number of systems, a number of processes in place that we believe that we are in the best position going forward to get through this event. However, it does come back down to the community."The community has to listen to the advice. You know, you reflect back on 2022 when we had the first flood event. And the second flood event a month later, we still had people driving in flood water. We can't let that happen. You need to take care of yourself and your family.(Shadow Minister for Emergency Management Perin Davey, Scott Tanner, Kevin Hogan, Janelle Saffin, SES Superintendent Scott McLennan and IC Joanna Jones talking about TC Alfred)State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin and Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan were also present at today's media briefing in support of the SES and our combat agencies."They've done a fantastic job in preparation. We were all here in 2022, we know what happened and what didn't happen, and I can assure the community that they're well prepared. The best thing we can do to keep ourselves, our loved ones, our neighbors, safe, is listen to the advice coming out from the SES in particular, and also prepare early. If we prepare for the worst, and we pray for the best. I just want everybody to be as prepared as they can be.Ms Saffin had some advice for the panic buying at supermarkets."I've been in the supermarkets, I've seen the shelves, and some of them are empty. I'm saying to people, just take enough. I always say, follow the 72 hour rule. That's a good rule. They use it in New Zealand, 72 hours. Make sure we've got enough for that 72 hours, and you'll have plenty, and there'll be plenty on the shelves for others, and also with fuel."Kevin Hogan wanted to remind the community of two things, "We know floods. So look, follow the warnings when they're given and leave early. You have your flood plans. You know where you are with metre predictions, leave your business or make your business safe early. And if you need to leave your residence, do it early, because the other element of this that we're not used to are going to be the cyclonic winds."It's going to get very wet, but also it's going to get very, very windy, and it's going to be extremely unsafe for everyone to be on the road network at that time, if not because of the water, but this time because of the winds and the damage that will be getting done. So it's going to be very unsafe for you. It's very unsafe for first responders to be out there to rescue people. So whatever you do, listen to the warnings and do it early."When the inevitable question came about the government moving quickly to offer support if Alfred does cause large community damage, Ms Saffin said she is having those conversations now."I'm just making sure that we're ready, and I put forward requests like, obviously, if we do get hit, of course, they'll want a natural disaster declaration, and we'll want that ASAP. So I'm involved in those conversations early."We may need other resources, depending on what happens if it crosses land. I know about the sandbags. I know what everybody's doing. I've asked how many boats are ready? We've got people operating them. So, in my role, I'm just doing everything I can because I say, better prepared, better recovery.Ms Saffin did say the NSWRA (Reconstruction Authority) is operating parallel to the combat agencies and are looking at what may be needed by the Northern Rivers community, including emergency accommodation."They're working together, preparing together, looking at what we might need, and instead of waiting till after the event, having that ready so they can ask. They're also organising the pod villages. Of course, we've still got people in our pod villages, so they've got organisation in place with the people there and getting them ready. They've got accommodation booked. I know Homes (Homes NSW) are doing that. There are evacuation centres being set up with DCJ (Department of Community and Justice)It was clarified that in Lismore, the evacuation centre will be at Southern Cross University as it was in 2022. Others are being organised today and set up tomorrow.One of the biggest complaints following the 2022 floods was the lack of communication. Ms Saffin did say the interagency communication was very strong and there is now a public information unit set up."We have to communicate well, all agencies, and I'll continue to drive that to make sure that people get the information they need. But for now, it's the SES, it's the police, it's our combat agencies, and they do a fantastic job at communication."As for advice to the community on how to get the best information, Commander Scott Tanner said, "We need the community to keep informed, and they need to take the information from the combat agencies, not from your friend down the street or someone on Facebook. It's got to be from people that are actually doing the business."The information can be read through the Bureau of Meteorology (via the Lismore App for ease of use Weather), or the BOM directly http://www.bom.gov.au/, the NSW SES https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au or download the Hazards Near Me app.