A senior meteorologist said while the cyclone's movement slowed overnight, that could mean further destruction.

Shops are preparing as Cyclone Alfred nears the Gold Coast, Australia. Footage taken by resident Alex shows businesses closing early on Hastings Street in Noosa, Queensland, on March 5. Shopkeepers also set up sandbags at their doorways in preparation.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred could cross the south-east Queensland coast at high tide late Thursday night, Premier David Crisafulli has said.He made the comment during a press conference with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Brisbane on Wednesday morning.

David Crisafulli has provided an update on Tropical Cyclone Alfred with the Premier calling on Queenslanders to continue to listen to the latest information and remain prepared.

Significant damage and power outages are possible in the densely populated region of Queensland, where tropical cyclones impacts are not uncommon, but direct landfalls are.

Damaging winds, heavy rainfall and life-threatening floods are expected after the storm made a sudden shift toward Queensland.

Cyclone Alfred intensifies to Category 2 ahead of rare landfall in Australia: Latest updates - Storm is expected to make landfall between Brisbane and Sunshine Coast and could be one of most destructi

Some residents are evacuating ahead of the cyclone, while others are sticking it out and preparing their homes for destructive winds and heavy rainfall. As they gear up for what's to come, there's a mix of emotions.