Tropical Cyclone Alfred is set to make landfall between the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast in coming days. The storm system will bring high winds and heavy rainfall across southeast Queensland on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Some experts are predicting that rain totals of 800 millimetres across the three days, which could trigger flash and riverine flooding.

Preparations are underway. Over 600 schools and childcare centres are closed in Queensland. Queensland public transport will continue as normal today, but will be suspended on Thursday and Friday. If winds reach more than 90 kilometres per hour, some roads and bridges will be closed.

Areas of Northern NSW – including the Tweed Valley, Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast – are also expected to be affected. Some schools in Northern NSW are also closed.

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To track the movement of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, head to the Bureau of Meteorology website.

How to prepare your home ahead of Tropical Cyclone Alfred

• Make sure your car is filled with fuel or that electric cars are charged. All vehicles should be easily accessible. Avoid parking under trees.
• Large outdoor items – including barbeques, outdoor furniture, play equipment – should be moved indoors, tied down or sunk in pools. These items can cause damage or injuries if they are swept away in high winds or floodwater.
• If you cannot stay in your home, make plans to stay with friends or in an evacuation centre. If you are staying at home, plan where you will evacuate to if necessary.
• Close shutters and cover windows with blankets or mattresses to avoid being injured by breaking glass.
• Be ready to turn off power, water and gas if evacuating or if instructed by emergency services.
• Check on friends, neighbours and family. Make sure vulnerable people in the community are taken care of during the storm.
• For more information head to the Australian Red Cross.

Resources: Queensland

For up-to-date information, head to the Queensland Government’s disaster management dashboard or look at the dashboard for your local council area

For assistance with a non-life-threatening situation, call the Queensland SES on 132 500.

Sandbag pick-up points are available in seven locations in the Sunshine Coast and also available in Brisbane.

In a life-threating situation, always call 000.

Resources: New South Wales

A Public Information and Inquiry Centre on the cyclone has been set up. For information about severe weather, call 1800 277 228. The service will be available 24 hours a day.

If you require assistance from the NSW SES, call 132 500.

NSW police encourage people in likely flood areas to register their movements with the Australian Red Cross. The Red Cross’s Register Find Reunite service lets family, friends and emergency services know you’re safe.

Self-serve sandbag stations are available at multiple locations.

The SES has a list of evacuation centres, which will be updated as more centres are established.

In a life-threating situation, always call 000.

Emergency broadcast channels

The SES encourage people to tune into the ABC Emergency radio service for regular warnings. ABC Emergency will also update this map as emergency warnings are issued.

Broadcast frequencies for emergency updates are as follows:
• Brisbane: 612AM
• Gold Coast: 91.7FM
• Sunshine Coast: 90.3FM, 95.3FM or 1566AM
• Wide Bay: 855AM, 100.1FM, 88.3FM
• NSW North Coast Richmond and Tweed: 94.5 FM
• Murwillumbah: 720 AM
• Grafton: 738 AM