Overview

• 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.