The tropical storm, named Alfred, is on track to bring dangerous winds and flooding along the coast of southeastern Queensland, including the country’s third-largest city.

Residents are stacking sandbags to protect low-lying properties ahead of a tropical cyclone that is forecast to become the first in 51 years to hit the Australian east coast near Brisbane, the nation’

Millions of Australians are bracing for a direct hit from a tropical cyclone heading toward the nation’s third-biggest city, with the storm already forcing evacuations and closing ports and schools throughout Queensland.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is nearing Australia's east coast. It could affect Queensland and New South Wales with strong winds, heavy rain, and flooding. The cyclone may make landfall between the Gold Coast and the Wide Bay region by late Friday or early Saturday.