Public transport has been cancelled as Brisbane residents are told to stay inside their homes as Cyclone Alfred prepares to make landfall.
Buses and trains will come to a halt on Wednesday night with services to be cancelled on Thursday and Friday across southeast Queensland.
CityCat and ferry services will be suspended from Monday night.
The Bureau of Meteorology expects Cyclone Alfred to make landfall in Brisbane as a category two system early on Friday morning.
It warned, however, the system may come sooner than expected.
The cyclone will likely bring heavy rain, flash flooding, destructive winds and storms across the state’s southeast.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adam Schrinner advised residents to remain at home over the next two days and to avoid driving.
‘If you are driving on the road during gale-force winds, anything can happen, it can be an incredibly dangerous situation,’ he said.
Buses and trains will come to a halt on Wednesday night with services to be cancelled on Thursday and Friday across southeast Queensland (stock)
‘There can be items that have become projectiles that can crash into you, there can be fallen power lines as a result of fallen trees that can electrocute you.
‘So people should not be out tomorrow and the next day, at the very least.’
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said major roads and bridges will be closed when winds reach 90km/h.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has deployed Australian Defence Force troops and vehicles to help the state prepare for the system.
Cyclone Alfred will bring southeast Queensland’s first direct cyclone impact in 50 years.
Residents along New South Wales’ Northern Rivers have also been told to prepare for rough conditions by staying inside and securing anything items that may be vulnerable to high winds.
More to come.
