Cyclone Alfred Approaches Australia, Leaving Tens of Thousands Without Power

The first cyclone to hit the region in 50 years is expected to make landfall Saturday, bringing severe flooding, high winds, and nine-meter waves.

Cyclone Alfred is currently 160 kilometers off the coast of Brisbane and is projected to hit land on Saturday morning local time.
The storm has already caused power outages for tens of thousands and significant beach erosion along Queensland's Gold Coast.
Authorities have closed schools, supermarkets, roads, and airports as a precaution, and distributed hundreds of thousands of sandbags to protect homes and businesses.
Wind speeds of up to 150 kilometers per hour, heavy rainfall, and severe flooding are expected across areas from the Sunshine Coast to Byron Bay.
Officials are urging residents in evacuation zones to leave immediately, warning that conditions will worsen and may impede rescue efforts.