Australia Weather News

Three years after Lismore was devastated by record-breaking floods, residents were again forced to leave their homes due to the risk of flooding after days of heavy rain from Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Residents in Lismore's CBD, north and south, were given until 9pm on Thursday night to evacuate, with heavy downfalls expected to cut off roads.

They were advised to stay with family and friends, or make their way to the nearest evacuation centre at Southern Cross University — one of many set up across northern NSW.

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said the situation brings back traumatic memories.

"It's a community on the edge at the moment," Cr Krieg said.

"It's too close to the 2022 floods, it's a devastating thing to actually have to watch and live through again."

Residents in other parts of the region, including Macksville, had until 8am on Friday to leave.

Inland from Byron Bay at Kyogle, local Shane Standfield said he was almost ready to go after being on stand-by during the week, and finally getting the alert at about 4:30pm on Thursday.

"We've been waiting and waiting, and the call came to evacuate and that's what we're doing," Mr Standfield said.

"The community is helping, everyone's here pitching in … Everyone has to stay safe and if you're asked to leave, just leave."

Helping Mr Stanfield was his cousin Kirk Welsh, who said they had been getting organised during the week. 

"We've done a bit of pre-preparation to get stuff up higher ground, and we've just hung on," Mr Welsh said.

"We've done this a number of times now … hopefully it won't do too much damage but you have to roll with the punches." 

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) had issued at least 20 emergency warnings to evacuate towns throughout north-east NSW by 9pm on Thursday. 

On the Queensland border, major flooding was expected on the Tweed River, with residents in Tumbulgum, Stotts Island and Fingal Head told to leave.

Down the river, evacuation orders were also in place for residents of Uki — north of Clarrie Hall Dam.

Major flooding was also expected along Marshall Creek, with evacuation orders in place at Billinudgel and inland at Kyogle.

An evacuation order was also issued for Bungawalbin on the banks of the Richmond River.

The alert also applied to the Numbucca River catchment area, which could cause major flooding at Bowraville, and moderate flooding at Macksville.

Winds knock out power

The warnings come with Cyclone Alfred tracking towards the coast, expected to reach Moreton Bay as early as tonight, before making landfall between Noosa and Coolangatta.

But the weather system has already brought heavy downpours, gale force winds and huge swells that have impacted low-lying areas.

Meanwhile, about 10,000 homes and businesses across the region lost power after powerful wind gusts knocked over electricity poles.

Essential Energy said that properties between Tweed Heads and Bulahdelah had been affected.

It said its crews were working to restore power as soon as it was safe to do so.

Boaters told to evacuate

Water police have also been urging people living in their boats in the impact zone to evacuate.

Marine Area Command vessels helped recover multiple boats on Thursday which broke their mooring and floated away in the large swell.

This included a yacht that ran aground at Kerosene Inlet at Tweed Heads.

Superintendent Joe McNulty said they have been moving between boats to warn people of the risks of the approaching cyclone.

"We have had a lot of cooperation from people who live aboard," Superintendent McNaulty said.

"But we are still monitoring a couple that have chosen to stay on their vessels, but they are in a semi-safe condition."