The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is deploying additional flood rescue and storm operators to Northern NSW ahead of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Nicole Hogan said additional flood rescue and storm operators from around the state are being deployed to support local SES teams in the Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers.
“We have also sent communication equipment, support personnel, aviation resources and specialised vehicles ahead of the forecasted impacts later this week,” Assistant Commissioner Hogan said.
A Cyclone Watch and Flood Watch have been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to bring widespread heavy, possibly locally intense rainfall totals ranging between 100 to 350 millimeters and strong to damaging winds from Wednesday onwards.
NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Nicole Hogan urged residents to prepare for the impacts now.
“We are urging the community to monitor the conditions and to take necessary steps now to ensure that if you are asked to evacuate you have a plan for yourselves, your families and your pets,” Assistant Commissioner Hogan said.
“Moderate to major riverine flooding and flash flooding is possible which could close roads, inundate properties and lead to evacuations in some parts of the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast from Wednesday through to at least the weekend.
Damaging surf and elevated sea levels are likely from Tuesday to Friday for Byron, Coffs and Macquarie Coasts, with wave heights ranging between 5 – 8 metres.
Coastal erosion is likely and may reach as far south as Seal Rocks.
The NSW SES advises residents to 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.
Prepare an emergency kit with essential items including identification documents, medications, a torch, mobile phone charger and a battery operated radio.
The NSW SES is advising people to download the Hazards Near Me App which will include the latest warnings and information for impacted communities.
If you need assistance during floods and storms call the NSW SES on 132 500 or Triple Zero (000) for life threatening emergencies.
Catchments listed in the flood watch include:
- Tweed and Rous Rivers moderate to major flooding
- Brunswick River and Marshalls Creek moderate to major flooding
- Wilsons River moderate to major flooding
- Richmond River moderate to major flooding
- Clarence River moderate to major flooding
- Orara River moderate to major flooding
- Coffs Coast
- Bellinger and Kalang Rivers moderate to major flooding
- Nambucca River moderate to major flooding
- Macleay River moderate to major flooding
- Hastings River moderate to major flooding
- Camden Haven River moderate to major flooding