Cyclone Alfred edges towards direct hit on Brisbane

Cyclone Alfred has whipped up wild surf and eaten away large parts of the shoreline on Queensland's coast as it edges towards a potential direct hit on Brisbane.

Lifeguards closed dozens of beaches from Agnes Water in Gladstone down to Currumbin on the Gold Coast while the category-two cyclone threatens to make landfall.

Water was seen entering a restaurant on the Sunshine Coast, and on K'Gari residents faced gale force winds and campers were warned to return to the mainland to avoid passing Alfred's force.

https://x.com/BOM_au/status/1896099061641429489 Coastal erosion Cyclone Alfred

Fears grow for Pumicestone Passage homes, particularly at Golden Beach, as the ocean pushes through a fragile protective sandbar on the northern tip of Bribie Island.

Modelling shows Alfred making a beeline for the country's third-biggest capital, with the south-east bracing for a potential direct hit.

A Bureau of Meteorology tracking map shows a cross through Brisbane as high as a category two.

The storm is on track to make landfall in the early hours of Thursday.

Premier David Crisafulli asked locals to prepare.

"I'm mindful that there is a big challenge there because of how severe the breakthrough has been in recent times and the prospect of those winds with big tides," he said.

"I know this is not a frequent occurrence and there may be Queenslanders who can be forgiven for thinking that this is something that doesn't occur well history shows that is does.

Cyclone Alfred coastal erosion

"We're just asking people to just be prepared and heed the warnings, do what you can to get ready, and you need to know that we've done the same."

Sandbagging stations are open at key locations across the south-east, and Queenslanders encouraged to do all they can now to prepare their homes for heavy rainfall.

That includes cleaning gutters, securing loose items and ensuring they have food, water and batteries.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned Monday could bring wild weather.

"Tropical Cyclone Alfred is forecast to move southwards, roughly parallel to the Queensland coast during Sunday and weaken a little further, before moving more to the southeast during Monday," the bureau said.

Wild surf Cyclone Alfred

"Alfred is then expected to slow down and is likely to turn westward from Tuesday, moving back towards the southern Queensland coast."

The state's south-east is forecast to be lashed with 150 millimetres of rain if Alfred makes landfall as expected.

The Gold Coast is also expected to see more than 200 millimetres over the next few days.

Locals in northern NSW are also being warned they could face flooding.

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