Tropical Cyclone Alfred live updates: Extreme weather event triggers more evacuations across NSW

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has told residents in the path of Cyclone Alfred they have some extra time to prepare but warned this system “packs a punch”.

“It is a system that certainly packs a punch and the potential for waves, wind, rain fall and then eventually flooding remains real,” Mr Crisafulli told Sunrise.

The premier said landfall has been delayed but “it remains a category two system”.

“To give you an indication of the kind of severity of it, we recorded a wave, I just got briefed a moment ago, 12.3 m off the coast of the Gold Coast at Main Beach.

“We have never seen a wave height recorded like that, so it is a strong system and that delayed run into the coast does give people who may not have finished their preparations that little bit more of a window.”

Residents at risk from significant storm surges and flooding have been urged to get into a safe space as the time to relocate has now lapsed.

Weather modelling shows almost 20,000 properties could be impacted by storm surges or flooding.

These 20,000 properties could experience anything from mild inundation in their yards to significant flooding in their homes and property damage.

The Bureau of Meteorology is expecting peak storm surges to occur from Thursday.

Residents are urged to inspect the mapping on council websites and make arrangements if their property is at significant risk.

The Gold Coast airport is now closed along with regional airports at Ballina and Coffs Harbour.

Qantas has cancelled flights to and from Lord Howe Island on Wednesday.

From midnight on Wednesday, Qantas Group flights were suspended to and from Coffs Harbour until further notice.

Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast airports are currently open and are under constant reassessment.

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Cyclone Alfred is currently positioned around 300km west of Brisbane.

Since Wednesday it’s rapid speed, which was measured at around 17km/h, has slowed to 7km/h, promting the Bureau of Meteorology to issue fresh advice on when it is expected to make landfall.

“Tropical Cyclone Alfred will continue its approach toward the southeast Queensland coast, with the far western edge already impacting the coast from about Coolangatta to Ballina,” the Bureau said on Thursday.

“Alfred is a Category 2 cyclone, and is forecast to maintain this intensity as it continues to approach the southeast Queensland coast.

“The centre of Alfred is expected to cross the coast during Friday, most likely between Maroochydore and Coolangatta.”