As Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches south-east Queensland, Gold Coast residents are recalling the most extreme weather events to hit the city, including devastating cyclones and more recently, a mini tornado.

In the past, cyclones such as the Great Gold Coast Cyclone of 1954, another in 1962, and Tropical Cyclone Wanda in 1974 brought torrential rainfall, leading to widespread flooding.

Local resident Joan Rudd told 9News during one severe rain event the bridge at Nerang rose so high that boats floated over it.

READ MORE: 'Window is closing': Queenslanders urged to act as cyclone approaches coast

"We had water over our house," Rudd said.

"You looked down across the coast, and it was water from Nerang to the sea."

She said army was called in to assist residents in sandbagging the foreshore, and makeshift walls were constructed using crumpled car bodies and old drums.

Despite these efforts, the force of the waves proved challenging, with excavators almost being washed away.

READ MORE: Cruise ships diverted away from Brisbane as Cyclone Alfred looms

The southern Gold Coast has also been severely affected in the past, with areas like Kirra experiencing significant flooding.

The point at Kirra was built to protect Coolangatta and another groyne was built to stabilise Currumbin from hazardous swell.

In December 2023, a mini tornado struck the city, causing significant damage.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.

He was last seen wearing a light grey hoodie, dark shorts and black sandals.

One person said they were ‘heartbroken’ by the announcement.

AFL great Nicky Winmar has asked to "courageously" co-lead a landmark racism class action brought by retired Indigenous players, lawyers say.

The action was lodged in the Supreme Court by Phil Krakouer, who played 141 games for North Melbourne, in September 2023, alleging senior AFL management did nothing to prevent racism within the sport.

Former players claim they experienced racism, racial vilification, racial discrimination, racial abuse, racial violence or victimisation between 1975 and 2022, while participating in the AFL competition.

READ MORE: 'Window is closing': Queenslanders urged to act as cyclone approaches coast

Krakouer, who was formally leading the case, may be joined by another leading plaintiff, the court was told this afternoon.

The AFL is fighting the allegations and its barrister Mark Costello KC questioned whether that plaintiff could be involved in the action when he was also involved in a separation case about concussions.

He said the AFL was also concerned by delays to the case, which was filed 18 months ago.

"The types of statements made in respect of people with long histories, not only with the game but also connection with Indigenous players in the game," he told the court.

"It is important that your honour is aware that this litigation has ongoing affects outside this courtroom."

READ MORE: Shelves stripped bare as residents brace for first cyclone in 50 years

Outside court, the class action's lawyer Michel Margalit confirmed the plaintiff seeking to join was former St Kilda and Western Bulldogs player Nicky Winmar.

She said Winmar was already one of the players involved as part of the class action, but had "courageously" offered to become co-lead plaintiff.

"We are currently as a legal team considering whether this is to the benefit of the class action, and we're of course in the hands of the court as to whether or not this is appropriate moving forward," she told reporters.

"Nicky Winmar has been a trailblazer through our time.

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"He really stands to fight to eradicate racial vilification in the game, to make it a safe place for all football players."

Winmar fought back against a number of alleged acts of racism throughout his career, including during a 1993 game against Collingwood where he was racially abused by the crowd.

He stood defiantly in front of opposition spectators who had been hurling racial abuse at him, lifted his jersey and pointed at his skin.

READ MORE: Cruise ships diverted away from Brisbane as Cyclone Alfred looms

"I'm black and I'm proud to be black," he told the crowd.

Winmar's gesture, described as a powerful statement against racism, has been memorialised in a statue outside Perth Stadium.

The case was adjourned to a later date.

Supermarket shelves along the south-east Queensland coast have been stripped bare as Tropical Cyclone Alfred inches closer to the coastline.

Images obtained by 9News show shelves emptied of water and bread as residents rush to stock up on supplies as the cyclone intensifies into a category 2 storm.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said the government was working with supermarkets, urging them to restock items multiple times a day.

READ MORE: Wild surf conditions and seven-metre swells as Tropical Cyclone Alfred drags boats to shoreline

Crisafulli said it was important that everyone had access to the essentials.

"It is important that people find every opportunity to have those essentials, all your personal items in one place, do everything you can to prepare for the prospect of loss of power, for example," he said.

The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts the storm to tack south-east again today, from its current position about 465km north-east of Brisbane, before turning back towards the coast tomorrow or Wednesday.

The cyclone is expected to make landfall on Thursday or Friday, Steven Bernasconi from the Bureau said. If it makes landfall in a populated area of South East Queensland, it will be the first to do so in 50 years.

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A Coles spokesperson told 9news.com.au that they were working "tirelessly to ensure all stores are well stocked as Cyclone Alfred approaches".

"We have extra deliveries on the roads already, with a focus on boosting our supply of meat, milk, bread, water, canned goods, baby formula and toilet paper," the spokesperson said.

"This preparation began last week, and will continue this week.

"While this is the first cyclone to hit this area in more 50-years, we are well prepared to ensure we can continue serving communities affected by these wild weather events. We will work closely with government and local authorities as the impacts from Cyclone Alfred unfold."

A Woolworths spokesperson said it was sending additional stock from the "Brisbane Regional Distribution Centre to stores across the Sunshine Coast and South East Queensland".

"We will continue to work closely with the local and state governments and authorities to ensure we can continue to support the community," the spokesperson said.

"As customers prepare for the cyclone, we ask them to be mindful of others in the community and buy only what they need."

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They had to spend $1200 on new flights, a night’s accommodation, and meals.

Police confirmed the weapon the man had was a metal pole, not a samurai sword.

A council spokesperson described the new feature as “guerilla art”.

Police were called to a property in the Auckland suburb of Morningside.

David Seymour had called this incident ‘unacceptable’ as a review is under way.