The impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred is continuing to intensify as the slow moving system, causes havoc across a huge area of North East New South Wales and South East Queensland.
The severe weather warning from the Bureau of Meteorology and Watch and Act – ‘Stay Indoors’ warning from the NSW SES has crept west today, now encompassing the length of the New England highway from Guyra to Tenterfield, including Ben Lomond, Glen Innes, Deepwater, and Sandy Flat.
Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin, speaking at a press conference from Lismore where evacuations are underway, said she is also keeping an eye on the Tablelands and will be speaking to Tenterfield Mayor Bronwyn Petrie this afternoon about the emergency response. Glen Innes Severn Council has advised Coxs Road and Deepwater is already closed to traffic due to heavy rain and flooding.
The NSW SES is advising people to stay indoors due to heavy rainfall, intense rainfall, damaging winds, destructive winds, and destructive wind gusts, and to monitor the rapidly changing situation.
100 km/h wind gust was recorded at Gold Coast Airport just before 2am this morning.
The Bureau of Meteorology advises Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues to move slowly to the west this morning, it is expected to make landfall along the southeast Queensland coast early Saturday morning before moving inland during the weekend. 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 developing about parts of the Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers and is expected to become more widespread through the warning area east of Tenterfield from this afternoon and into Saturday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 70 and 130 mm are likely, increasing to around 200 mm about the Border Ranges. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 150 and 250 mm are likely, increasing to between 300 and 350 mm about the Border Ranges.
In the same areas, locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING may develop from this afternoon and continue into Saturday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 200 and 250 mm and 24-hour totals between 350 and 450 mm are possible, particularly over the Northern Rivers and the eastern facing slopes of the Northern Tablelands. All rainfall numbers 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 occurring over the coastal fringe of northeastern New South Wales north of Yamba, and about the Border Ranges, and may extend to as far south as Grafton later today. DAMAGING WINDS with peak gusts of 100 km/h are also possible across parts of the Northern Tablelands, extending more broadly throughout the warning area during Friday and Saturday with showers and thunderstorms.
DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS up to 155 km/h associated with Tropical Cyclone Alfred may develop over parts of the Northern Rivers as far south as Cape Byron from tonight into Saturday morning. DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS are also possible with showers and thunderstorms over the coastal fringe from this afternoon and during Saturday.
This event may change quickly. NSW SES will monitor the situation and update warnings if the situation changes.
What you need to do:
- Move or stay indoors clear of windows, bringing children and pets with you.
- If you must travel, consider the consequences of road conditions and closures and make alternate arrangements for work, children, and travel.
- Use stairs instead of lifts in severe weather. You may become trapped if the power goes out.
- If your roof or balcony is struck by a fallen tree/branch or other large debris – stay clear and remain indoors if you can. It may have been structurally weakened, even if there is no obvious damage.
- Have your emergency kit and grab and go bag handy in case you lose power.
- If caught outdoors, shelter under sturdy cover away from lightning, hail, falling branches.
- Stay clear of fallen trees, power lines and damaged buildings.
For more information:
- Listen to your local ABC radio station which can be found at reception.abc.net.au
- Download 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.au
- Check latest weather and warnings at www.bom.gov.au/nsw/
- Check road closures at www.livetraffic.com.au or 132 701 or your local Council.
- Check disruptions to public transport at www.transportnsw.info/alerts or call the Transport Infoline on 131 500
- Find more information on power outages at www.energy.nsw.gov.au/households/guides-and-helpful-advice/electricity-supply-disruptions/what-do-during-electricity