<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>339803</docID> <postdate>2025-03-07 16:10:04</postdate> <headline>Locals not waiting for cyclonic rain to flee floods</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-339804" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20250306114882599865-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>A northern NSW community fears Cyclone Alfred will bring a repeat of 2022's devastating floods. (Jason O'BRIEN/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>J</strong><b>ack Gramenz </b>and <strong>Peter Bodkin</strong> in Sydney</span></p> <p><strong>Flood-weary residents facing another disastrous weather event have been getting out early, with thousands told to evacuate as the power goes out and a cyclone approaches.</strong></p> <p>Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to hit northern NSW on Saturday, but many communities are already facing heavy rain and the prospect of days-long power outages on Friday.</p> <p>In Lismore, where several people died and more than 1000 homes were badly damaged during the 2022 floods, locals were told to evacuate by Thursday night from low-lying areas.</p> <p>Major flooding is expected on the local river after 300mm of rain fell in some areas in a 24-hour period, with more to fall as the cyclone hits.</p> <p>Several other rivers across northern NSW face a risk of rapid and dangerous rises during the state's first cyclone in 35 years.</p> <p>NSW SES acting chief superintendent Stuart Fisher said about 19,000 people were covered by evacuation orders by noon on Friday, and were taking them seriously.</p> <p>"Overnight, we only had five flood rescues, that goes to show us that everyone is listening," he said.</p> <p>Resilient Lismore director Elly Bird told AAP the community appreciated the advance warning, but did not wait to be told.</p> <p>"Our community has been preparing for almost a week now, and many people were fully evacuated before that order was made," she said.</p> <p>"It's only the thinnest of silver linings from 2022, (but) we know really clearly how quickly things can change."</p> <p>The organisation has been relocating in preparation to assist residents and businesses access support and clean-up in the likely event floodwaters go over the town's levee again.</p> <p>"There's a lot of anxiety in the community, and uncertainty, because we just don't know how high the river might go," Ms Bird said.</p> <p>NSW Premier Chris Minns encouraged those evacuating to seek shelter with friends or family.</p> <p>"There are emergency evacuation centres that are located if there are no alternatives," he said.</p> <p>"These are more of a life-raft, rather than a cruise ship."</p> <p>Greens MP Sue Higginson told AAP evacuation centres should have been set up earlier as the region finds itself back in the path of an extreme weather event.</p> <p>"We need purpose-fitted, ready evacuation centres in the northern rivers, the case has well and truly been made.</p> <p>"The evacuation centres have been absolutely struggling," Ms Higginson said.</p> <p>Alfred is expected to cross the coast north of Brisbane, and a cyclone warning is in place from north of Queensland's Sunshine Coast to near Grafton in northern NSW.</p> <p>More than 300 schools have been closed statewide and are due to remain shut on Monday.</p> <p>Communities face days without electricity as the cyclone damages network infrastructure.</p> <p>Essential Energy reported 43,000 homes and businesses in northern NSW were disconnected on Friday morning.</p> <p>Mr Minns said power had been restored to about 6500 by the afternoon, but it could be a while before crews are able to reconnect more.</p> <p>"They're going to do it as soon as possible, but they need to do it in a safe way," Mr Minns said.</p> </body>