TRANSCRIPT
More than four million people lie in the path of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which will be the first cyclone to cross the coast near Brisbane since Cyclone Zoe hit the Gold Coast in 1974 and brought widespread flooding.
Strong winds and heavy rain are already affecting an area from Grafton in northern New South Wales to Double Island point, north of Noosa in Queensland.
Bureau of Meteorology manager Matt Collopy says it is the southern side of the storm system that will bring the most damage.
"The wind impacts, we’re already seeing those start to develop on the exposed locations along our coast with gusts reaching 80-to-90 kph already. We are expecting those to continue to develop into this evening and increasing to those destructive wind gusts up to 150 kph as Alfred approaches the coast, and again, particularly about those exposed areas on the southern side of the track."
Strong winds have already been observed in areas like Cape Byron in New South Wales.
The weather station there has recorded wind gust of 111 kilometres per hour at 3am and 100 kilometres per hour at 4am.
Up to 800 millimetres of rain is expected from Brisbane to New South Wales’ Northern Rivers when the cyclone eventually arrives.
As well as Brisbane, the affected area includes major population centres: the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Ballina, Byron Bay, and Lismore.
Queensland's commissioner of Fire and Emergency Services, Steve Smith, says residents have been urged to prioritise safety.
"We do have hundreds of Rural Fire Service Queensland and foreign rescue service staff ready to respond when it is safe to do so to support the recovery, so they are in place and are ready to respond, as and when conditions are needed. We are ready, but I do ask you all to please hear the warnings and advice that authorities have provided, and ensure you make good decisions for the process."
And in New South Wales, Premier Chris Minns says the impacts from the cyclone are expected to be severe.
"Hurricane Alfred is behaving at the moment like a completely unwanted house guest. It told us it's going to be late but linger even longer and unfortunately that means the window for disruption in our community, heavy rains, winds, powerful surf is longer than we would've otherwise liked. As a result of that we're going to need the local community, we're going to be leaning on the local community - this resilient, tough, defiant community in the Northern Rivers to do their bit."
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has thanked residents for doing their bit to prepare for the storm.
"If you do the preparation, it is a system you'll be able to handle. I have to say overwhelmingly the response has been remarkable. Particularly in the last 24 hours there’s been a real awareness, and I do want to thank Queenslanders for the way they’ve responded, and I know as a result of many people who have done our work for us in going to reach out to vulnerable people, to colleagues at work and speak to neighbours, that’s made all the difference."
Treasurer Jim Chalmers - who is a Queensland MP - urges people in the affected area to take the threat seriously.
"We are preparing for the worst but hoping for the best. And we really encourage people to make all of the necessary preparations that they can - don't wait, make the most of this notice that we've been given before the cyclone hits."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has put off plans to travel to Western Australia, as the state prepares to hold an election on Saturday.
He's staying in Canberra to remain in touch with developments on the east coast.
He's promised support for those affected.
"My message to people, whether they be in southeast Queensland or northern New South Wales, is we are there to support you, we have your back. We respect the work that you are doing in your preparedness. And we know that this is tough times and that's why every Australian, every Australian, regardless of where they are in this great country of ours is thinking of you over that coming period."
Essential Energy has advised that 20,000 homes and businesses are without power due to heavy winds.
The company is warning residents could remain disconnected for long periods of time, as the dangerous weather hinders the ability of crews to survey or repair the damage.
The State Emergency Service in New South Wales has received more than 6,000 calls for help, and has responded to more than 3,000 incidents.
