A man has been rescued from flood waters on the state’s mid north coast on the weekend.About 8pm on Saturday, 8 March 2025, emergency services were called to Missabotti Road, Missabotti – about 30km northwest of Nambucca Heads – following reports a man had been washed away by flood waters.On arrival, officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District were told a 71-year-old man had attempted to cross flood waters in a Toyota Landcruiser; however, the vehicle failed to cross and was swept downstream.The man was located in the water nearby, holding onto the rear of the vehicle which was pinned near some large trees.Local police, together with SES personnel, Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Ambulance officers attended and commenced an operation to retrieve the man from the water.A lifejacket was successfully floated to the man prior to the arrival of the SES Swift Water Rescue Team, who completed the rescue with an inflatable raft.The man was assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics and did not require any medical treatment.The incident has prompted police to remind all residents who have been affected by the weather event and flooding to stay safe by never driving through floodwaters, and to always follow signs or directions from emergency services.

The NSW SES has advised that residents from The Flat - McDougall Street, Anzac Park, Parts of Anzac Drive, Walters, Willis, Norton, Larkin and Chauvel streets may now RETURN WITH CAUTION. The SES says you should take care when returning to the area as flood damage can be widespread. What you need to do:Drive slowly, plan your route carefully to avoid any flooded roads and allow extra travel time. Damage to roads and buildings caused by flooding may still exist in your area.Be aware of road hazards including mud and debris.Remain vigilant as there could still be water in low lying areas.Take care as local roads could still have water over them.Check in on your neighbours if safe to do so.Check on animals and livestock.If your property has been affected by floodwater:Make sure your property is safe before entering. Check for damage to windows, walls and the roof and be careful of potential dangers including asbestos.Make sure the electricity and gas are turned off before going inside. Use a torch to carry out inspections inside buildings.If power points, electrical equipment, appliances or electrical hot water systems have been exposed to floodwater or are water damaged in any way, they must be inspected by a qualified electrician before use.Gas appliances and gas bottles that have been exposed to floodwater should be inspected for safety before use.Wear suitable protective clothing, including boots and gloves when cleaning up.Sandbags that have been in contact with floodwater need to be thrown away. Sturdy gloves should be worn when handling wet sandbags as they can contain chemicals, waste, and diseases.Be aware of any slip, trip or fall hazards.Never eat food which has been in contact with floodwater.Only use clean utensils and personal items.

Sandbags – what to do with them in the Byron Shire.People are advised to hold onto their sandbags, if they are not damaged, for a couple of more weeks in case there is another weather event, as the catchment is now very wet, and the dunes are eroded.Chloe Dowsett, Council’s Coastal and Biodiversity Coordinator said that people should not empty their sand or place sandbags onto the beach. “We are getting a lot of enquiries from people asking whether they should put the sand on the beach given the erosion over the last week and the answer to that is no,” Ms Dowsett said.“Sand can be dirty and contaminated from flood or stormwater with weeds, pests and even chemicals posing an environmental risk for marine life and the birds and insects that live in the dunes and on our beaches,” Ms Dowsett said.“While it’s likely most sand for bags has come from quarries and is clean, we don’t know for sure so the best thing to do is to not inadvertently contaminate our already depleted beaches.“Even Council needs to make sure we have proper assessments in place when we put any material on the beach that could pose a risk to the environment and marine park,” she said.We are aware that people are concerned about the dune erosion and want to help, but the best way is to let the beaches stabilise first and we will consider any management or interventions after the event.In the meantime, Council is suggesting people hang on to their sandbags for a little while and as information becomes available about how to dispose of them properly Council will promote this to the community.

Following the impact of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, Richmond Valley Council is pleased to announce almost all facilities will reopen to the public from tomorrow (Monday 10 March).These include the Casino and Evans Head administration centres, libraries, visitor information centres, sporting facilities, swimming pools and other public venues.General Manager Vaughan Macdonald said Council’s primary focus would remain on supporting residents’ safety and well-being as things started to return to normal, while noting some of our communities remained isolated. Mr Macdonald said while Richmond Valley businesses were resilient, it was important to remember they too were suffering from the effects of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.He said simply choosing to shop locally as much as you could made a huge difference.“Shopping local is a great way to keep dollars within our local area,” Mr Macdonald said.“When we shop local, we are supporting local businesses who employ other locals, who pay for local services, and circulate the money around the Richmond Valley.“In this way local spending has a significant impact on the entire regional economy.”Mr Macdonald said it was also important for local schools to reopen as soon as possible as they allowed parents and caregivers to return to work with peace of mind, knowing their children were in a safe and supportive environment. He thanked the community and local SES members, local police and emergency service personnel, volunteers and community organisations, as well as Council staff, for their hard work and assistance in protecting and supporting our local communities.“We appreciate the patience and understanding of our community during these temporary closures,” Mr Macdonald said.“Our teams have worked diligently to ensure the safety of all facilities and to restore services as quickly as possible.“Residents are reminded there are still several road closures in place and, if possible, delay non-essential travel, and never drive through floodwater.“Minimising travel on our rural roads while they are saturated will assist a quicker recovery for our region.“We are working closely with State and Federal government representatives to advocate for the support our community needs to recover from the ex-tropical cyclone’s effects.”Residents are encouraged to check Council’s website or phone 6660 0300 for further information, or to confirm specific hours of operation.

While Lismore's flooding situation improves, other parts of the Northern Rivers get worse.The NSW SES has advised people in the following area(s) to PREPARE TO ISOLATE due to predictions that the Clarence River may reach moderate flood level: Iluka and surroundsYambaEast YambaWooloweyahThe NSW SES are asking residents to 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. What are we expecting?Based on the predictions from the Bureau of Meteorology, rainfall associated with ex. Tropical Cyclone Alfred may cause rapid river rises and extensive flooding.Heavy and locally intense rainfall is forecast 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.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.Be prepared - you may be isolated for an extended period of time. Make sure you have essential supplies prepared to last for at least three to five days, including food, drinking water, medications, pet food, and animal feed.Be prepared - you may lose services including power, communications, water, sewerage, and gas. Relocate waste containers, chemicals, and poisons well above the flood level.Companion animals and livestock should be relocated to higher ground that will not become an island.Monitor the situation closely for updates on rain and river conditions.Share this information with family, friends, and neighbours, and help others prepare for isolation where possible.If you are isolated and require resupply, contact NSW SES on 132 500People working or camping along the river should monitor river heights and be prepared to relocate to higher ground.

In a move that will please residents, Richmond Valley Council has announced the resumption of kerbside waste collection services to Casino and Evans Head.In a statement released today, council said, "Following the temporary disruption due to ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, the Casino and Evans Head services will be returning to their regular schedule starting tomorrow, Monday 10 March."Coraki, Woodburn and Broadwater and outer rural area collections will resume when possible. Rappville Transfer Station to remain closed until further notice."Residents are reminded to place their bins out for collection on their usual collection day. For any questions or concerns regarding the resumption of services, please call our Customer Experience team on 6660 0300, or visit Council’s website for a downloadable service calendar."Residents who missed collections on Friday can place bins as well until they are collected."The Nammoona Resource Recovery and Waste Facility and Evans Head Transfer Station will remain closed until further notice due to current road closures, staff availability and site restoration. "We thank all residents for their patience and understanding during this brief disruption and encourage everyone to continue following best practices for waste disposal."

Mullumbimby residents are being asked to conserve water as the town’s water treatment plant remains offline. The Mullumbimby water treatment plant has not been able to produce clean drinking water since severe weather and heavy rain caused high levels of turbidity in the raw water supply at Lavertys Gap Weir.The town’s emergency connection to the Rous County Council regional water supply is in use and supplying water to the eastern part of Mullumbimby but is not able to support the entire town.Mullumbimby residents are urged to limit water use to essential drinking, cooking and hygiene to slow the drawdown of current supplies in the town’s reservoirs. People in Mullumbimby are asked not to use tap water for external cleaning purposes and hosing driveways at the moment. Tap water is safe to drink and storage levels in Mullumbimby's reservoirs are being monitored.Council staff are monitoring water conditions at Lavertys Gap Weir and will resume water production as soon as possible. Water supplies in other parts of Byron Shire are not affected, however residents are asked to use water with care as demand is expected to increase as post-storm cleanup work continues.

The NSW SES is advising people in low-lying parts of Casino near the river, including Lennox Street, West Street, Stapleton Avenue, Gilby Street, Diary Street, Richmond Street, Canterbury Street and Ferguson Street to PREPARE TO EVACUATE due to current rising minor flooding. 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. Evacuation InformationIf you are unable to find accommodation, evacuation centres have been set up at the Casino Showground, Summerland Way, Casino. 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?The Bureau of Meteorology advises the Richmond River at Casino Road Bridge is currently at 10.70 metres and rising, above the minor flood level (9.20 m). The Richmond River at Casino Road Bridge may reach around 11.70 metres early Sunday morning, with minor flooding.Based on the predictions from the Bureau of Meteorology, rainfall associated with Ex. Tropical Cyclone Alfred may cause rapid river rises and extensive flooding. Heavy and locally intense rainfall is continuing 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.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.Farmers should consider moving pumps and farm equipment to higher ground.When 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.

A man has been charged after allegedly threatening an emergency services worker at a sandbag station at Corindi Beach yesterday.About 2.30pm (Friday, 7 March 2025), SES workers and members of the public were filling sandbags outside a building on Coral Street, Corindi Beach, when a man drove to the site where he filled and took a number of sandbags, before driving from the scene.At 3.30pm, the man – aged 23 – returned to the location and took a number of sandbags from other members of the public.A SES worker spoke with the man, when the man – who was armed with a shovel – allegedly threatened the SES worker, before threatening other SES workers and community members nearby.Officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District were notified and attended the scene a short time later.The man was arrested, and his vehicle was searched where police allegedly located and seized a knife and a machete. The shovel was also seized.He was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station, where he was charged with stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (personal), and custody of knife in public place.He was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Bail Court today (Saturday, 8 March 2025), where a further charge of intimidate frontline emergency worker was laid.

Late yesterday afternoon (Friday, 7 March), Byron Shire Council authorised the removal of three Norfolk Pines in Byron Bay. One tree was in Jonson Street and two were in Apex Park near the Byron Bay Surf Club.Council is very aware that our community strongly values trees and the removal of any tree is not taken lightly, especially the iconic Norfolk pines in Byron Bay.The sustained strong winds over much of the week had weakened the root systems of the Norfolk pines and they were swaying dangerously.Council engaged an independent arborist to assess the trees and he found that the heaving of the root systems due to the movement of the trees in the wind was an indication they would fall down and that they were beyond saving.The risk to public safety was deemed too great and contractors felled the trees.Council staff are keeping a close eye on the other Norfolk pines in the area.In coming weeks, staff will be assessing many trees on Council-managed land and more may have to be removed. In the meantime, if people’s property next to Council land has been damaged by trees, please send photos and information to council@byron.nsw.gov.au so staff can assess claims.

Online donation platform GIVIT is asking well-meaning Australians not to take or send unrequested donations into regions that have been impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred.GIVIT has been appointed by the Queensland and New South Wales Governments to manage donations of essential goods and services for people impacted by this event. GIVIT is working directly with councils, recovery outreach teams, charities and community groups in impacted regions to find out exactly what’s needed by people affected by this disaster.Head of Engagement Christina Spehr said GIVIT is managing donations that can overwhelm frontline services and distract them from their primary roles in response and recovery.“Please do not take or send unrequested goods into flood or cyclone impacted areas. This is dangerous and can hamper rescue and recovery efforts,” said Christina.“This is a rapidly evolving situation and there is currently nowhere to store these donations, or people available to sort them.”“Our message is very clear, if you want to help, please go to GIVIT.org.au to find out exactly what’s needed.”100% of publicly donated funds to the GIVIT Tropical Alfred Appeal will be used to purchase essential goods and services for people affected by this disaster.Where possible, GIVIT uses donated funds to purchase items from local providers to support the economic recovery of impacted regions.Visit www.givit.org.au/tropical-cyclone-alfred to find out what’s needed.If you have an item to donate that is not listed, please register the item on www.givit.org.au/donate-items.If you are a local charity or frontline service in need of donated goods and services, please register at givit.org.au/charity-registration.

With Cyclone Alfred expected to cross land north of Brisbane tomorrow, Byron Shire Council staff will continue working on 24-hour rosters responding to emergencies, many relating to trees over roads.The focus is making sure major roads and evacuation routes are cleared as quickly as possible if conditions are safe for staff, as well as the ongoing operation of essential services such as water and sewer facilities.Trees over roads or damage to roads, causeways etcCall Council during business hours (8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday) – 02 6626 7000 or for after-hours emergencies over the weekend call 02 6622 7022.Staff will do their best to get to the problem as quickly as they can. This may take several days. Conserve water as power outages affect sewer and water servicesPeople across Byron Shire are being asked to, where possible, only flush the toilet when necessary as council sewer operations are impacted by power outages caused by severe weather.With a majority of sewer pump stations and some sewage treatment plants currently affected, think ‘If it’s brown flush it down. If it’s yellow let it mellow.’Meanwhile Mullumbimby residents are asked to be mindful of water use as the town's water treatment plant is unable to produce drinking water due to high turbidity levels in the raw water supply. While current storage levels in reservoirs are good, maintaining reserves will be important until water conditions improve. Sewer operations Council operations are affected by power outages and as a result the majority of our sewer pump stations and some of our sewage treatment plants are running on generators.Restoration of power is critical for our sewer network and Essential Energy is aware of this.Residents who have localised sewer overflow should call Council. Staff are prioritising this response and are focused on getting major pump stations operational and organising vacuum trucks to clean up.Water operationsIn Mullumbimby, the Rous emergency water main supplying east Mullumbimby is active and we are monitoring water levels in the Azalea Street reservoir and Left Bank Road reservoir.Mullumbimby's water treatment plant is currently unable to process water because of high turbidity in the water in Lavertys Gap weir.  Current reserves in the Azalea Street and Left Bank Road reservoirs are adequate and council staff will resume drinking water production as soon as conditions allow, however in the meantime, residents can help by being mindful of water use.This afternoon staff also responded to a significant water main break at Suffolk Park.  Three properties in the area are without water and have been notified that council staff will work to fix the problem when the cyclone passes. Belongil and Tallow CreeksTallow Creek entrance opened naturally to the ocean on Thursday night (6 March) and Belongil Creek entrance was opened by Council staff Friday afternoon (7 March).Today, conditions have thankfully allowed Tallow Creek to open naturally, lowering the additional flood risk for low-lying properties in Suffolk Park - for now.We have also made the most of a small window of opportunity with the weather and have opened the mouth of Belongil Creek as best we could in the conditions.It’s flowing as of Friday afternoon but how long it stays open for depends on the swell and the tide.WasteKerbside waste collection (wheelie bins) will resume next week.Those people who missed their collection this week can put all bins (red, yellow and green) out on their normal day next week.The Byron Resource Recovery Centre is closed Friday and Saturday. Beach Access and Coastal ErosionAll beach accesses managed by Byron Shire Council are closed.LibrariesAll library branches across the region including Byron Bay, Brunswick Heads, Mullumbimby, and the Mobile Library, are closed until further notice.Council facilities and officesThe following facilities are closed:Byron Bay and Mullumbimby PoolsSports fields.Lone Goat GallerySandhills Early Childhood Centre closed Monday 10 March)Council-managed halls (to Sunday 9 March).Contacting CouncilDuring business hours (8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday) – 02 6626 7000.After hours emergencies – 02 6622 7022.Email council@byron.nsw.gov.auwww.byron.nsw.gov.auReport it online (non-emergency) Report it to Council - Byron Shire CouncilSESThe SES is the lead agency for cyclones, storms, and flooding. For help during flooding or weather emergencies, sandbags and damage to property call the SES on 132 500.  Evacuation CentresNSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) has opened three evacuation centres in the Byron Shire:Mullumbimby Ex Services ClubOcean Shores Country ClubCavanbah Centre (Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay)If possible people should bring camp mattresses, blankets, pillows etc.People can take pets to the evacuation centres where staff will do their best to accommodate them. Owners should take feed, leads, cages and bedding if available.Currently DCJ is asking that no donations of bedding or other items are dropped off to evacuation centres.DonationsPeople are asked not to drop or send donations because unrequested donations can hamper recovery efforts.At the moment everyone, including the MDNC, is waiting to find out the impact of Cyclone Alfred. People can however register to help with the Mullumbimby and District Neighbourhood Centre’s Spontaneous (MDNC) Volunteers.The MDNC is taking early volunteer registrations for food support, material aid, and counselling (only).  https://nz.becollective.com/.../64dc5ee4a102c0d17.../profileThe MDNC is not currently taking registrations for clean-up activities.Keep informedFor all emergency information - Byron Shire Emergency dashboard  https://emergency.byron.nsw.gov.au/SES:Call 132 500https://www.facebook.com/NSWSESRichmondTweedwww.ses.nsw.gov.auHazards Near Me app - https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/hazards-near-me-appEmergency broadcaster on FM94.5 or AM720 or https://www.abc.net.au/northcoastBureau of Meteorology - http://www.bom.gov.au/River heights - Latest River Heights - Northern Rivers (NSW)Road closures - www.livetraffic.com.au or call 132 701.Essential Energy - 13 20 80 or https://www.essentialenergy.com.au/outages-and-faults/power-outages

A male has been washed into floodwaters at Megan, near Dorrigo.About 2.20pm today (Friday, 7 March 2025), emergency services responded to reports that a 4WD had been washed off a bridge into fast running water whilst driving across Wild Cattle Creek Bridge off Old Coramba Road, Megan – approximately 23km northeast of Dorrigo - where the male driver was able to exit the vehicle and secure himself to a tree branch approximately 30m from the river bank.Officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District were able to communicate with the man.Shortly after 3pm the man was swept from the tree and seen to go beneath the water where he has not been sighted since.Police – with the assistance of the SES – have conducted a preliminary search and are awaiting the assistance of aerial assets. No further information is available at this stage.Members of the public are reminded to adhere to all safety messaging and not to travel onto flooded roadways.Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

Tallow Creek entrance opened naturally to the ocean on Thursday night (6 March) and Belongil Creek entrance was opened by Council staff Friday afternoon (7 March).“Yesterday we alerted the community to additional flood risks caused by the closure of the entrances of Tallow and Belongil Creeks,” Council’s Infrastructure Recovery Coordinator, James Flockton.“Today, conditions have thankfully allowed Tallow Creek to open naturally, lowering the additional flood risk for low-lying properties in Suffolk Park - for now.“We have also made the most of a small window of opportunity with the weather and have opened the mouth of Belongil Creek as best we could in the conditions.“It’s flowing as of Friday afternoon but how long it stays open for depends on the swell and the tide,” Mr Flockton said.

The NSW SES is directing people in the following area(s) to EVACUATE BEFORE 9:00 pm Thu 06 Mar due to forecast cyclone-related major flooding:Kyogle Caravan ParkKyogle Showgrounds and surroundsIndustrial area south of Fawcetts Creek, areas surrounding the Kyogle Rd and Summerland Way intersection.You must evacuate before this time because forecasted heavy rainfall will close evacuation routes.Evacuation InformationYou 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 Kyogle Memorial Hall, Stratheden Street, KyogleIf 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.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. Heavy and locally intense rainfall is forecast from Thursday 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.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.Gather your possessions for evacuation. These might include mobile phone, 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.Gather your pet(s) and companion animals for safe travel.Relocate waste containers, chemicals, and poisons well above floor level.The safest option is to evacuate as early as possible to avoid additional hazards. Do not wait until the last minute.Immediately move to a safer location away from present and potential flooding. Travel to the home of family or friends who are in a safe location away from present and potential flooding.If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over on higher ground away from trees, drains, low-lying areas, and floodwater. Find alternative travel routes if roads or underpasses are flooded.Be aware of road hazards including mud, debris, and damaged roads or bridges.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.All campers and caravans relocate away from the sites next to water courses

The NSW SES is directing people in the following area(s) to EVACUATE BEFORE 9:00 pm Thu 06 Mar due to forecast cyclone related major flooding:CORAKILow-lying properties in East CorakiEvacuation InformationYou 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: Coraki Public School, 50 Adams St, Coraki.Low-lying properties along Richmond Terrace near the Club Hotel and the bowls clubCoraki Caravan Park and foreshoreEvacuation InformationYou 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: Casino Showground, Casino Racecourse and Showground, Summerland Way, Casino.BUNGAWALBINBungawalbin and surrounds including properties along Bungawalbin Whiporie Road, and Haughwood Road. You must evacuate before this time because forecasted heavy rainfall will close evacuation routes.Evacuation InformationYou 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 Evans Head RSL, 11-13 McDonald Place, Evans Head.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.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. Heavy and locally intense rainfall is forecast from Thursday 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.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.Gather your possessions for evacuation. These might include mobile phone, 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.Gather your pet(s) and companion animals for safe travel.Relocate waste containers, chemicals, and poisons well above floor level.The safest option is to evacuate as early as possible to avoid additional hazards. Do not wait until the last minute.Immediately move to a safer location away from present and potential flooding. Travel to the home of family or friends who are in a safe location away from present and potential flooding.If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over on higher ground away from trees, drains, low-lying areas, and floodwater. Find alternative travel routes if roads or underpasses are flooded.Be aware of road hazards including mud, debris, and damaged roads or bridges.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.All campers and caravans relocate away from the sites next to water courses

As cyclone Alfred continues to slowly move towards the southeast Queensland coast, areas of the Northern Rivers have seen more power outages throughout the day.As of 4:30pm, around 10,000 homes and businesses in various communities between Tweed Heads and Bulahdelah have lost power with strong winds blowing vegetation and trees into contact with the electricity network.As spokesperson for Essential Energy said crews are working to restore as soon as it is safe to do so, as outages occur, with some locations unable to be accessed due to heavy rain fall flooding river crossings or water on the roads.Extreme and dangerous weather conditions may hinder our crews’ ability to survey the network for damage or actively restore power, resulting in customers being without power for long periods of time.If you need to evacuate for flood purposes, if safe to do so, please turn off all switches and mains before the flood goes through, this includes solar and/or battery systems.For information about evacuation centres in your area, please visit the NSW SES website.For up-to-date information on impacted locations and estimated restoration times (when known), visit our website outages page.If you see fallen powerlines or powerlines in water, please stay away and call Essential Energy on 13 20 80 to report the damage. In an emergency always call 000. 

The Albanese and Minns Governments have activated disaster assistance to communities in 15 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Northern NSW in anticipation of the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. The NSW Government’s Natural Disaster Declaration applies to the LGAs of: Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Lord Howe Island, MidCoast, Nambucca Valley, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Richmond Valley and Tweed. Support has been made available under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). Assistance measures that may be provided to communities include: Assistance for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation and essential items generally provided from evacuation or recovery centres.Grants for eligible low-income residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living.Grants for eligible low-income residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a basic, safe and habitable condition.Support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets.Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers, and non-profit organisations and grants to sporting and recreation clubs to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property.Freight subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder.Financial support towards counter disaster activity undertaken by emergency service organisations to keep communities safe. Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister said it’s a challenging time as communities are already experiencing the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. “We are activating a range of support to assist flood impacted residents begin their recovery as soon as possible,” Minister McAllister said. “As we understand the full extent of damage from this event, we will move quickly to activate appropriate support for these communities.” “We are working closely with Premier Minns and his government as we prepare and respond to this event.” “Our message to community is clear. Know your local risk, have a plan and prepare your home now.” NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said natural disaster declarations are a vital step in unlocking joint assistance so communities can begin the clean-up, rebuilding and recovery process. “We are rolling out support measures for communities we know are likely to be impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred. As the event unfolds and impacts are known, further measures will be considered in response to community need,” Minister Dib said. “The NSW State Emergency Service and other emergency services along with the NSW Reconstruction Authority are on the ground in Northern NSW, preparing for the impact of the cyclone and working to keep the community safe. “For a region already in recovery from the devastating 2022 floods, we understand this latest disaster will be difficult for many people, and we are committed to continuing to support this resilient community through these challenges.“We are thankful for the dedication of our emergency services – including the incredible volunteers from the local area and across the state – who are already working around the clock to support communities in Northern NSW.” More information on disaster assistance can be found at https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/recovery and www.disasterassist.gov.au.

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.auDownload 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.auLearn about your risk at www.ses.nsw.gov.au/knowyourriskCheck 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.