The damage from cyclone Alfred is already apparent on the New South Wales coast. Wild tides and storm surges are eroding some of the state's most popular beaches. Experts say it's to be expected and the worst of the weather is yet to come.
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00:00With Cyclone Alfred on their doorstep, communities on the edge of the ocean are securing what
00:08they can.
00:09And it's roaring.
00:10Absolutely roaring.
00:11So I've tied it all up, made sure everything was slashed down and it should be alright.
00:18This is a serious issue for those communities, particularly low-lying communities close to
00:22the coast as well.
00:23High tides and damaging surf are starting to erode Byron Bay's famed beaches.
00:29When those waves have so much energy, that's when they actually need to lose some of their
00:36energy and by that means they actually take that sand away from the beach.
00:40So there has been coastal surges, there are still some considerable high tides that are
00:45occurring.
00:46A number of the beaches have been affected, but we're still very early in this cyclone
00:52hitting the sea.
00:53As water levels rise, animals are also being displaced.
00:57This eel was rescued after washing into a gutter in Ballina, while a turtle found itself
01:04lost on the streets of Benora Point.
01:06I'll help you out, get you back in the water, it's safe.
01:10Several major flood warnings have been issued for rivers between Port Macquarie and Tweedheads.
01:16Coastal communities like Ballina will be first in line for a battering when Alfred arrives.
01:21Sandwiched between rivers and the ocean, the risk that floods could clash with a storm
01:26surge means that homes like these are particularly vulnerable.
01:30Sam Ryder moved into his home on the Richmond River just four weeks ago.
01:35The attitude from most of the people in this area is pretty casual, so we'll see what happens.
01:40It could be bad.
01:41We've put the sandbags out just to stop the wake and you'll never keep water out completely.
01:46Other locals aren't so relaxed.
01:48If that water comes down from Lismore and that surge is still here, goodnight.
01:53One more restless sleep before the cyclone's long-anticipated arrival.