Flash flooding, storm surges main concerns as Cyclone Alfred heads toward land

Flash flooding and storm surges are the chief concerns as Tropical Cyclone Alfred surges toward millions of people, bringing with it torrential rain and strong winds.

Oceans rising well above the high tide mark and a lingering cyclone sparking severe flooding are the major concerns for meteorologists as Cyclone Alfred nears the east coast of Australia.

Creeping toward southeast Queensland on Thursday, the cyclone is now forecast to hit land very early on Saturday.

Meteorologists tell NewsWire projected record-high tides, plus the forecast for the storm to linger above Brisbane, are their chief concerns.

Residents at Capalaba, east of Brisbane, have been sandbagging for days. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

Tropical meteorologist Kevin Walsh said flooding was likely to be the most damaging effect of this cyclone, however storm surges and coastal erosion were likely to be significant.

Residents in Queensland and NSW have been urged to prepare for strong winds and flooding, as well as power loss and a lack of transport options.

Too many questions remained about the exact course of the cyclone to pin down what exact cities or towns will be worst-hit, the University of Melbourne professor told NewsWire.

The latest forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology say the centre of Cyclone Alfred will make landfall between Noosa and Coolangatta - a 200km window - early Saturday.

Gusts up to 155km/h could hit along the southern edge of the storm, with 120km/h gusts expected elsewhere either side of the Queensland and NSW border.

Surfers made use of the conditions at Coolangatta on Wednesday. Picture: NewsWire / Glen Campbell

Surfers have already been riding the large storm waves, with a 15-metre wave recorded out to sea off Tweed Heads.

On Thursday afternoon, a jetskier was unaccounted for near the border between Queensland and NSW.

At Noosa North Shore, three people had to be rescued one nautical mile from the coast when their jetski broke down in rough seas.

The bureau says abnormally high tides are likely to cause minor flooding for coastal low lying areas Double Island Point and Grafton - a 400km stretch - during the early morning high tide on Friday and Saturday.

“Damaging surf leading to significant beach erosion remains likely for the open beaches between Double Island Point and Grafton, and further south over the NSW coast,” the latest bureau forecast says.

But it is heavy to intense rainfall which could do the most damage.

The bureau forecasts that as the cyclone lingers over southeast Queensland, dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is likely.

The Bureau of Meteorology is expected to provide the next comprehensive update at 5pm Queensland time on Thursday.

Originally published as Flash flooding, storm surges main concerns as Cyclone Alfred heads toward land