Port Kembla vessel to assist with Cyclone Alfred efforts

A multi-purpose vessel has left the Marine Rescue NSW facility at Port Kembla, heading north, to assist in the efforts around Cyclone Alfred.

Marine Rescue NSW has begun deploying volunteer flood rescue and support operators, along with staff, specialised vessels, and equipment, to Northern NSW.

Meantime, thousands of residents in northern NSW including parts of the Tweed, have been forced to flee their homes, after evacuation orders were issued overnight.