AS a pre-emptive step to boost recovery efforts for impacted communities, the NSW Government has appointed NSW Police Superintendent Scott Tanner as recovery co-ordinator following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Mr Tanner will retain his role as Richmond Police District Superintendent, allowing him to deploy the full resources of the NSW Police Force while effectively marshalling all other government resources.

Mr Tanner played a critical role in the 2022 Northern Rivers floods, serving as the local emergency operations controller and assisting the coordination of recovery efforts across the region.

Last year, Mr Tanner was awarded the Australian Police Medal for his role during the 2022 floods.

Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin welcomed Mr Tanner’s appointment.

“While I’m sorry we’re in this position again, I welcome the announcement that Superintendent Scott Tanner will be helping lead the recovery post Tropical Cyclone Alfred,” Ms Saffin said.

“I know Mr Tanner extremely well, we worked very closely in the 2022 floods, and locally as he’s the Superintendent in my electorate, and he is the right person to work with community to help us recover as soon as possible.”

District Commander of the Richmond Police District Scott Tanner was today announced as recovery co-ordinator (Image courtesy of The Lismore App).

The NSW SES has received nearly 11,000 calls and responded to more than 6000 incidents as ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues to move inland, impacting the northern rivers and mid-north coast of New South Wales.

Although Alfred has weakened to a Tropical Low, communities need to remain vigilant and not become complacent, the SES says.

Emergency warnings advising people to evacuate are still in effect.

NSW SES advises residents and landholders in the Gravesend district, including the Horton River region, Pallamallawa and surrounds, and Yarraman north of Moree to Stay Informed about predicted possible minor to  major flooding on the Gwydir River.

Residents in Boggabilla and surrounding areas are also advised to Stay Informed about predicted possible minor flooding on the Macintyre River.

Low-lying areas along the Macintyre River may be impacted by floodwater and heavier than predicted rain may cause isolation to Toomelah, based on heavy rainfall associated with super cells.

The Bureau of Meteorology advises rainfall associated with Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred is likely to cause rapid and dangerous river rises and extensive flooding in north-western New South Wales during the weekend and into early next week.

Farmers and landholders along the Gwydir, Macintyre, Namoi, Peel and Severn Rivers are urged to consider lifting pumps and moving livestock to higher ground.

As of 5am, Sunday, March 9, approximately 14,600 people are currently under emergency warnings across New South Wales and about 31,200 dwellings are subject to warnings as a result of flooding, including watch and act, and emergency warnings.

The NSW SES, supported by other emergency services, is dealing with the impacts of the extreme weather and will complete damage assessments as it becomes safe to enter flooded areas.

As the water recedes, the NSW Reconstruction Authority is getting ready to support communities and begin recovery operations as quickly as possible.

Flood Safety Advice:

This Flood Watch means that people living or working along rivers and streams must monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings and be ready to move to higher ground should flooding develop.

Flood Warnings will be issued if Minor Flood Level is expected to be exceeded at key sites along the main rivers for which the Bureau of Meteorology provides a flood warning service.

Severe Weather Warnings will be issued or updated if very heavy rain is forecast or observed.

For more information on the Flood Watch Service: http://www.bom.gov.au/water/floods/floodWarningServices.shtml

FloodSafe advice is available at www.ses.nsw.gov.au

For emergency assistance call the SES on telephone number 132 500.

For life threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.