All beaches on the Far North Coast have been closed and a hazardous surf warning has been issued.
A warning for damaging wind gusts of 100 km/h and for damaging surf were issued for Evans Head, Tweed Heads, Byron Bay, Ballina, Alstonville and Brunswick Heads.
Cyclone Seth moving south is the cause of the extreme weather conditions.
Richmond Valley Council advised residents and visitors that the dangerous surf conditions meant local beaches were closed including the breakwall pathways at Main Beach and Shark Bay.
Rocks are being tossed up onto the pathways making them hazardous for pedestrians, the council reported.
Water levels may exceed the highest tide of last year by at least 0.1 metres during the morning’s high tide on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday mornings.
The State Emergency Service advised people:
Don’t drive, ride or walk through flood water.
Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.
and then