Cyclone Alfred Approaches Australia as Ice Cube Promotes Concerts from Beachfront Hotel

The rapper joked about the storm while authorities issued evacuation orders and braced for severe weather impacts in Queensland.

Cyclone Alfred is expected to make landfall as a Category 2 storm near Brisbane late Thursday night or early Friday morning, bringing winds up to 96 mph and heavy rainfall.
Authorities in Queensland and New South Wales have issued evacuation orders for flood-prone areas and warned of potential flash flooding with up to 31.5 inches of rain forecasted.
Ice Cube, staying in a beachfront hotel ahead of his sold-out concerts in Sydney and Melbourne, described the storm as 'pretty cool' and joked about the beach potentially reaching his hotel lobby.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli urged residents to act quickly, emphasizing that the cyclone's timing with high tide could worsen its impact.
Public transport in affected regions, including trains, buses, and ferries, has been suspended, and local governments have reported food and sandbag shortages as residents prepare for the storm.