Daredevils brave wild seas as Cyclone Alfred circles toward battered coast
The brief doubling back of Cyclone Alfred gifted residents of NSW’s northern coast a brief reprieve from lashing rains and damaging winds, but the warnings remained clear: the time to prepare is almost over, and thousands must be ready to evacuate.
Daredevil surfers sprinted into the maelstrom of waves whipped up by an eight-foot swell and strong wind at Main Beach in Byron Bay and drew crowds so large there was a queue for the beach’s carpark on Thursday morning while the skies remained calm.
Spectators battered by waves at Brunswick Heads.Credit: Nick Moir
Waves have already eaten away sand at Brunswick Heads and Tallow Beach, south of Byron. Experts fear the slow-moving cyclone will generate destructive, long-lasting surf that could severely erode beaches and leave the coast more exposed to flooding.
“It’s a lot of [2022] flood vibes around the area; everyone’s kind of like, ‘okay, we’re in this again’, but it’s going to be a little different,” said Josh Davies, a resident of the Byron Bay area for 23 years.
“Everyone’s had at least four or five days’ notice. The biggest stress last time was that there was a lack of communication and very, very slow response from the army, the SES, the council, the government, it’s like they were scrambling.
“Now there’s plenty of communication … it’s way better than being caught with your pants down.”
Coastal erosion at Brunswick Heads rockwall.Credit: Nick Moir
Water has started to flood Childe Street at Belongil Beach, a strip of luxury properties and high-end beach houses between the seething ocean and a swollen Belongil Creek.
The Belongil area has been issued with a “prepare to evacuate” flood warning, as have beachside enclaves from Fingal Head down through Kingscliff, Brunswick Heads, and most of Ballina, including the CBD.
