NSW Emergency Ops Center Opens for Cyclone Alfred
The NSW Government has opened the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) as police and emergency services continue to urge the community not to take risks in the anticipated severe weather as Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches landfall in north-eastern NSW.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for north-eastern NSW – including the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast and Northern Tablelands areas – and southeast Queensland with these areas expecting gale-force winds and damaging gusts.
These destructive winds are expected to cause storm surge, which combined with high tides could cause flooding in the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast areas from today (Thursday 6 March 2025).
In response to these warnings the SEOC at Homebush has been stood up and will provide real-time assistance and intelligence to emergency services in the affected communities.
Police are urging the community to be prepared to evacuate their homes if major flooding does occur. Being prepared means to pack an emergency kit containing identification documents, medicines, drinking water, a torch, a mobile phone charger and battery radio.
Evacuation centres have been established at the following locations:
For the latest information on current evacuation centres and warnings, visit the NSW SES website – www.ses.nsw.gov.au/.
State Emergency Operations Controller, Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell APM, said the state is facing extreme weather conditions and the public needs to act accordingly.
“We are expecting some of the most severe weather conditions this state has seen in recent years hitting our northern coast in the coming days.
“Opening the State Emergency Operations Centre is not a light decision; it should be a clear sign to the NSW public – especially those living in Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast areas – that we are expecting extreme conditions.
“The combination of high tides, excessive rain and extreme winds will cause flooding and dangerous conditions on our roads. I am urging all NSW road users to avoid driving during these weather conditions.
“Anyone who does choose to drive will be putting their own life, your passengers’ lives and the lives of emergency service personnel at risk.” Deputy Commissioner Thurtell said.
Police are also urging all those in north-east NSW to avoid all non-essential travel during the cyclone.
The Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC), has also been activated to support the severe weather operation.
The principal function of the PIIC is to not only provide accurate, up-to-date general information to the public, but to also answer their inquiries regarding the flood event which has impacted on the community.
The Public Information and Inquiry Centre can be contacted by calling 1800 227 228.
Members of the public in cyclone affected areas should continue to listen to local radio stations, or check the websites listed below.
It should be noted this inquiry hotline does not replace the State Emergency Service emergency hotline.
Members of the public seeking emergency assistance during a flood or storm should call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500, or visit their website www.ses.nsw.gov.au.
NSW Police remind people in flood affected areas to register their movements using the Register, Find, Reunite website – https://www.redcross.org.au/emergencies/about-register-find-reunite/ – which 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:
For the latest weather warnings, please visit the Bureau of Meteorology website: http://www.bom.gov.au/.
In life-threatening situations and emergencies, the public are advised to contact Triple Zero (000).
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