Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia are under threat of a tropical cyclone, which is expected to bring severe storms from Wednesday.
In an update to its travel advice, the Foreign Office (FCDO) warned Tropical Cyclone Alfred could cause localised flash flooding and ‘severe coastal hazards’.
Areas likely to be worst affected are Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales, it said.
The FCDO warned the cyclone could cause power outages and transport disruption.
If it follows its projected path, Alfred will be the first cyclone to directly hit Brisbane since Nancy in 1990, according to the Independent.
It is expected to make landfall on Thursday night or early Friday morning.
Forecasts indicate potential rainfall of 300-600mm, with some areas possibly receiving up to 700mm.
Wind gusts are expected to exceed 120kmph, with high waves possibly causing coastal erosion and flooding.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has urged residents to ‘please be prepared’.
“It is important that people take the event seriously, they stay up to date with warnings,” he said.
“We’re dealing with a very heavily populated part of the state, a state that hasn’t seen a cyclone for many years, in fact, many decades, get this close to the coast.”
Qantas and Jetstar are allowing passengers flying to the Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay, Brisbane, Ballina and the Gold Coast this week to reschedule their flights free-of-charge within a 14-day window.
Virgin Australia is also allowing passengers travelling to Ballina, Bundaberg, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast airports between Wednesday and Saturday to exchange their flights.
New South Wales fire and rescue has deployed three teams to the north of the state to be on standby to perform water rescues over the next few days.
The cyclone season in Australia usually lasts from November to April.
Image was taken in Yeppoon, Queensland on 1 March
