As Cyclone Alfred approaches Northern NSW, we urge all businesses to stay informed and follow the advice of authorities. The situation is evolving, so it's important to be aware of potential risks in your area.

The NSW SES (State Emergency Service) is leading the response to Tropical Cyclone Alfred and we encourage everyone to follow their advice. If you are in an emergency situation and need immediate support please call the SES on 132 500.

• SES Warnings and emergency updates
• SES Guide to Preparing for Storms and Floods

Important Resources and Support

• Business NSW Hotline 13 26 96
• The Government's Hazards Near Me App and the BOM's Weather App will have the latest information and warnings. Update your watch zone and your notification settings in the app
• BOM NSW Warnings
• Listen to ABC radio for up to date information about the weather system and emergency warnings as they are issued
• Service NSW
• Lismore Disaster Dashboard, including road closures
• RMS Live Traffic
• Latest River Heights and Rainfall Observations

We want everyone to be prepared:

• Have an emergency kit ready.
• Make sure you have a plan in place.
• Follow any warnings from NSW SES.

Staff from the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) are on the ground in the Northern Rivers liaising with our partners to understand impacts and help resolve issues. 

The RA will continue to work alongside the SES so that an informed transition to recovery happens at the appropriate time. The planning will include understanding the need to establish local recovery centres and/or recovery assistance points to meet the needs of the community.

• Get Ready website
• Disaster Preparedness information for businesses
• Get Ready resource hub

Mental Health Support Tropical Cyclone Alfred

From the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Given the significant experience of residents across Northern NSW during the 2022 weather event, many people are likely to be feeling concerned about Tropical Cyclone Alfred making landfall later this week. It is important to ensure that you take care of yourself and your loved ones and be prepared. 

If you or someone you know needs specialist mental health care, please call the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511. It is a free service operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is staffed by specialist mental health professionals who offer mental health advice, and referrals to local mental health services.

For free health advice anytime day or night, call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. Need support in your language? You can call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask for Healthdirect.

If you need crisis mental health support, please call Lifeline Australia at any time on 13 11 14.

Children and young people can call Kids Helpline at any time on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.au.

For non-crisis mental health support, please call Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

There’s also a range of online resources to support you and your loved ones. Please visit Beyond Blue and Lifeline online.

Young people should visit headspace.org.au, Kids Helpline or ReachOut.com.

NBN Emergency Preparedness Tips

1.    Be Prepared

If it is important for you and your business or community group to always remain connected, consider exploring alternative communication and power solutions and regularly test these to ensure they function effectively during emergencies. Additionally, it’s essential to understand your local council’s emergency management plans and know where to go in times of crisis.

2.    Stay Mobile

Create an emergency kit with a fully charged mobile phone and a portable battery pack. This will be invaluable during power outages or if your NBN network connection is affected. Remember to conserve battery by turning off mobile data for unnecessary apps.

3.    Stay Updated

During emergencies, local radio provides crucial information. Include a battery-powered radio in your emergency kit. Additionally, follow emergency services on social and news channels, including State Fire and Rescue, Police, and services like NBN (@NBN_Australia).

4.    Backup

Ensure you can access critical information and essential documents from anywhere. Consider creating digital backups on a USB drive or in the cloud. These documents may include insurance policies and financial records.

We kindly ask you to:

1.    Familiarise yourself with the information provided in the fact sheet.

2.    Share this information with your community to ensure everyone is aware of the necessary steps to take in case of an emergency.

3.    Encourage others to stay informed and prepared by distributing the social media tile and fact sheet through your networks.

Your cooperation and proactive efforts in spreading this vital information are greatly appreciated. Together, we can enhance our community's resilience and ensure that everyone is well-prepared for any unforeseen events.