Cyclone Alfred is heading towards the Australian coast, bringing destructive winds and heavy rain and prompting calls for residents to take the threat seriously.

A large swathe of Australia’s east coast is preparing for strong winds and life-threatening flooding as a tropical cyclone is forecast to make landfall around the nation’s third-largest city.

A heavily populated stretch of Australia’s eastern coast battened down Tuesday for what could be the first tropical cyclone to pummel the region in 50 years. Tropical Cyclone Alfred was swirling about 550 kilometers (340 miles) east of major city Brisbane,

Australia’s east coast is closely watching Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which has been churning and strengthening over the Coral Sea. Although the storm is expected to stay offshore for now, it’s still set to bring gusty winds, rising swells and hazardous surf conditions to Queensland’s heavily populated coastline in the coming days.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is set to make landfall in southeast Queensland. This is why it's turning towards the coast.

Australia braces for rare tropical cyclone Alfred as residents warned to ‘get out now’ - Category 1 cyclone intensifying off Queensland’s coast expected to be one of region’s most destructive in decad

Australia’s east coast is bracing for tidal surges, intense rainfall, strong winds and flooding as a cyclone is expected to veer toward the country’s third-biggest city.

Residents are remaining alert with Tropical Cyclone Alfred currently tracking above the Coral Sea around 450 kilometres north-east of Brisbane.

A rare and potentially dangerous weather event is unfolding in southeast Queensland, with Cyclone Alfred predicted to make landfall near Brisbane later this week. If the system reaches the coast as expected,