Tropical Cyclone Alfred: What time and where will it make landfall and what services have been affected?

Locals in Queensland and New South Wales are bracing for a tropical cyclone to hit their region for the first time in more than 50 years, triggering destructive winds and flooding.

As of Wednesday evening, the system was 325km east of Brisbane and 305km east of the Gold Coast, moving west towards the coast at 14km/h.

The Bureau of Meteorology said the system was forecast to maintain its intensity as a category 2 cyclone as it continued to approach the coast.

Schools in northern NSW and southeast Queensland will be closed on Thursday.

Here’s everything we know so far.

WHERE IS IT LIKELY TO CROSS THE COAST?

• The category two system is predicted to impact southeast Queensland between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, crossing the coast late Thursday or early Friday.
• The system has recorded winds up to 90km/h at its centre and gusts of 130km/h
• It is forecast to bring daily rainfall totals between 200mm and 400mm from Thursday to Saturday, likely leading to “life-threatening” flooding

WHICH COMMUNITIES ARE EXPECTED TO BE IMPACTED?

• The cyclone warning zone spans Double Island Point, Queensland to Grafton, NSW, with Brisbane, the Gold Coast and hinterland to cop the brunt of strong winds.
• The cyclone’s arrival will coincide with high tide in Queensland, possibly impacting 20,000 properties in Brisbane, almost 5000 on the Sunshine Coast and 6000 on the Gold Coast.
• Almost 200 swift water-rescue personnel are on standby along with 1000 energy crews.
• Australian Defence Force assistance has been activated with helicopters deployed to Bundaberg and Coffs Harbour.
• Evacuation centres will open across Queensland’s southeast and northern NSW.

WHAT SERVICES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED?

• Public transport in the southeast will be suspended from Wednesday night.
• No vessels are permitted on the water until further notice, the Brisbane Regional Harbour Master warns.
• More than 500 schools to close from Thursday in Queensland with almost 250 to shut in northern NSW.
• Southeast major roads and bridges to close once winds reach 90km/h.
• Elective surgeries will be suspended from Thursday with southeast Queensland residents urged to stay at home over coming days.
• State-federal disaster assistance has been activated for 12 local government area.
• An emergency childcare declaration has allowed for support to services and families in 15 cyclone-impacted local government areas.