Tropical Cyclone Alfred will continue its approach towards the south-east Queensland coast today, with the far western edge already impacting the coast from about Coolangatta to Ballina.
A senior meteorologist said while the cyclone's movement slowed overnight, that could mean further destruction.
Wild weather is expected to hit south-east Queensland from Wednesday night as Tropical Cyclone Alfred nears, as those in north-eastern NSW brace for "three natural disasters in one".
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), said warnings remained in place for heavy rainfall, locally intense rain fall leading to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding, a dangerous storm tide, abnormally high tides, damaging surf, damaging wind gusts and destructive wind gusts.
The system is currently 345 kilometres east of Brisbane and 315 kilometres east of the Gold Coast, and moving west towards the south-east Queensland coast at 16 kilometres per hour, up from 11 kilometres per hour a few hours ago.
For the first time in three decades, Brisbane is battening down for the arrival of a tropical cyclone. Follow us here for breaking news and advice throughout the day.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred has slowed its approach and is now expected to cross the south-east Queensland coast on Friday afternoon.
The system is expected to make landfall between the Gold Coast and southern parts of the Wide Bay region as a category two cyclone.
Authorities warn strong winds from Tropical Cyclone Alfred could mask the truly terrifying risk of devastating flooding and stormwater surges.
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Tropical Cyclone Alfred is now headed for the southeast Queensland coast, with millions of residents warned to prepare as the storm brings massive waves, isolated rainfalls of up