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More than 500 Queensland schools in the cyclone warning zone will be closed on Thursday and Friday.

The Queensland Government has put together a full list here

Brisbane suburbs Nudgee Beach, Brighton, Windsor, Ashgrove, Morningside and Roclea are at this time facing the highest risk.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said about 20,000 propoerties have the potential to be impacted by some form of innundation or flooding.

“We are advising people to make a plan in those areas,” he said.

The RNA showgrounds will be set up as an evacuation centre, which Cr Schrinner said should be a last resort of people who have nowhere else to go.

The PM has praised the hard work of the ADF, the national emergency management agency, state agencies, and the “wonderful volunteers” of the SES and others.

“At the worst of times, from Australia we see the best of the Australian character,” he said.

“We see it time after time. And I pay tribute to all those people who are showing their care for others at this difficult time.”

The Government has receieved a formal request and the ADF is now engaged to help out with response to TC Alfred, Mr Albanese has confirmed.

Heavy lift helicopters from the national aerial firefighting fleet have also been positioned in preparation for the days ahead.

The Commonwealth has also declared a period of emergency for childcare, meaning families who keep their children home during the cyclone won’t be punished.

The PM has also reiterated the Government will provide an additional 250,000 sandbags to Queensland.

Anthony Albanese is speaking now, he arrived in Brisbane last night.

He said his Government was working with its state and local counterparts to keep Queenslanders and northern NSW residents safe.

“I’d urge (people) to listen carefully to the words that Premier Crisafulli has just said,” he said.

“Prepare, take this seriously, this is a rare event.”

The Premier has announced schools in the impact zone will be closed on Thursday and Friday.

It will be up to independent early learning centres to remain open or not.

Public transport will not run on Thursday and Friday, and Mr Crisafulli says Queenslanders also “need to be prepared for major roads and bridges to be closed” with winds of 90 km/h to be the trigger point.

There will be no elective surgeries on Thursday or Friday.

“I want Queenslanders to know our health system is geared up and ready to support those whoneed emergency care, generators are in place,” he said.

He thanked frontline staff, including those replenishing supermarket shelves.

Low-lying nursing homes will be evacuated, Mr Crisafulli says, and the Queensland Government is trying to reach as many people sleeping rough as it can.

There is a particular focus on aged care and health services.

“We are doing all we can to make sure that we get those people out of harms way as quickly as we can. There are evacuations of some of those low-lying nursing homes that have been planned, it will be done during the course of the day,” he said.

“In the case of those homeless, we (are continuing to) offer accommodation to anyone who is there and [will] continue to make that offer to those in the hours ahead.”

Emergency services evacuated 68 people from South Stradbroke Island overnight, and more are happening “today, right now”.

“The windows for this to occur is closing and closing fast, but we’re working with those vulnerable people in those communities to be able to make sure people are safe, again, whatever decision people take,” Mr Crisafulli said.

Mr Crisafulli said this will be an experience unlike any many Queenslanders have had before, but he’s confident the state will get through it.

But to do that, he’s asked people to stay connected, listen to updates, and talk to others.

“Talk to your friends, make sure your neighbours know - now is a great time to get to know your neighbours if you don’t and tlak to them about it,” he said.

“It’s important that people understand that the threat is real. Be prepared.”

Anthony Albanese and David Crisafulli are speaking from Brisbane, providing an update on the approaching TC Alfred.

A cyclone warning zone is now in place between Double Island Point all the way to the border, with the impact zone set to narrow as the cyclone approaches.

It’s due to cross the coast on high tide on Thursday night.

“It’s critical that people make themselves aware of the storm tide zones and impacts on their property. You can reach this information on the disaster.queensland.gov.au website,” Mr Crisafulli said.

Speaking directly to Queenslanders who may need to evacuate, Mr Crisafulli said they should make a plan immediiately, stay with family and friends if they can, or a motel.

Evacuation centres are being established, but “should be a last resort”.