Your Tropical Cyclone Alfred questions answered

Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues on a path of uncertainty, with major changes overnight to when it is expected to make landfall. Here are your key questions answered.

The path of Alfred as of 7.40am Thursday.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred has slowed to a crawl, with landfall now not expected until early Saturday morning. Here are all the answers to your key questions:

When will Tropical Cyclone Alfred make landfall?

Latest modelling from the Bureau of Meteorology has the system making landfall early Saturday. However, that is changing with every update.

Where will it make landfall?

Currently a direct hit on Brisbane is forecast. But again, that is changing with every update from the Bureau of Meteorology.

How long will it take to cross the coast?

The Bureau of Meteorology warns the cyclone will take three to six hours to cross the coast, but there is the possibility it could move slower and take longer.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred's latest tracking map. Picture: BOM

Where is Tropical Cyclone Alfred at the moment?

As of 4pm on Thursday, it is located about 225 kilometres east of Brisbane and 210 kilometres east northeast of the Gold Coast.

Will it still be a category 2 when it makes landfall?

This is unknown at this stage. The Bureau says the chances of it intensifying into a category 3 are decreasing, with latest modelling even suggesting the potential for it to cross as a category 1. However, most models are saying it will be a category 2 when it makes landfall.

What can I expect when it makes landfall?

Wind gusts up to 90km/h are forecast as the cyclone closes in on the coast, ramping up to 130km/h. Rainfall totals up to 800mm are possible.

Should I stay home today?

Yes. Authorities are urging anyone in the impact zone to remain at home today and tomorrow. Premier David Crisafulli will provide an update later today.

Should I evacuate?

Only if you are in a storm tide zone, or in an area where you know there is riverine flooding.

If I do evacuate, should I go to an evacuation centre?

If it’s your only and last option, yes. In Brisbane the RNA Showgrounds in Bowen Hills will open from 7am on Thursday as a refuge centre. In Logan a safety hub will open this morning at the Logan Metro Sports and Events Centre.

Moreton Bay has three evacuation centres open: Caboolture Memorial Hall, Strathpine and Hope Centre Moreton in Rothwell.

On the Gold Coast evacuation centres are now open at Runaway Bay Indoor Stadium, Nerang Bicentennial Community Centre and Burleigh Waters Community Centre.

On the Sunshine Coast an evacuation centre is available at Nambour Showgrounds.

Evacuation centres for the Byron Shire are at the Ocean Shores Country Club and the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club.

Wild seas off the Gold Coast. Picture: Nigel Hallett

What businesses are open today?

Most major supermarkets, including Coles and Woolworths, hardware stores and bottle shops were trading Thursday morning but some have since closed. Woolworths announced all South East Queensland stores would close at 2pm Thursday.

Have any flights been cancelled?

Brisbane Airport remains open but an increasing number of flights and airlines are already cancelling services.

Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin are all expected to put a halt to flights in and out of Brisbane over the coming hours.

Services to the Gold Coast had already been suspended when the airport closed at 4pm Wednesday.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Brisbane Airport said operations would continue until the last scheduled airline service today (Thursday 6 March) - expected to be around 4pm this afternoon.

“Travellers should speak directly to their airlines and not travel to the airport for cancelled flights,” the spokesperson said.

“Brisbane Airport will continue to keep its terminals open while passengers and essential airport workers need shelter, for emergency and aeromedical services, for defence operations, and while it is safe to do so.”

Many airlines are offering their customers the opportunity to change their bookings and providing advice on cancellations.

Jetstar’s last flight into Brisbane was scheduled to land about midday while Qantas was likely to suspend flights by mid-afternoon.

Originally published as Your Tropical Cyclone Alfred questions answered