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

Acting mayor Donna Gates says tropical cyclone Alfred "might be the most significant system" for the Gold Coast since 1954.

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.

Satellite imagery can help determine the strength, size and cohesion of a storm. The stronger a storm becomes, the more likely an eye will form in the center. When the eye looks symmetrical, that often means the storm is not encountering anything to weaken it.

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,