Storm warnings on Thursday stretched for more than 500km (311 miles) across the northeast coast, as giant seas whipped up by the cyclone eroded beaches, and officials urged residents in flood-prone areas to evacuate soon.

Cyclone Alfred stalled off the coast overnight, said Dean Narramore, forecaster at Australia’s weather bureau.

Mr Narramore said the stalling could result in “a longer and prolonged period of heavy rainfall, particularly in northern New South Wales” leading to life-threatening flash flooding.

Heavy rain from the weather system has already drenched some regions before the cyclone’s landfall, Narramore said.

Sara Robertson and her family have moved all their valuables from their home in the rural town of Murwillumbah to a motel ahead of the storm.”I’m glad we’ve got a little bit more of a breather, feeling very tired today and we still have a lot to do,” Robertson told ABC News after moving computers and electronics into the motel.

Initially expected to make landfall late Thursday or early Friday, the latest forecast shows Alfred is now moving at a speed of just 7kmph, slowed down by half of its speed on Wednesday.

The storm may not reach the coast until early Saturday now, meaning millions in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales will endure damaging winds, torrential rain, and dangerous surf conditions for much longer than anticipated, writes Stuti Mishra.

Ice Cube has been left trapped inside his Australian hotel thanks to Cyclone Alfred, with the rapper joking that the local beach could be “in the lobby” at any minute.

People on the projected path of Cyclone Alfred have been asked to “act now” and leave before the situation gets worse as an “extremely rare” Category 2 storm barrels towards Australia’s southeastern coast.

Brisbane is shutting down trains, buses and ferry services from Wednesday and several matches and events have been cancelled in Queensland and New South Wales.

More in this report:

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is hovering off Queensland’s coast, unleashing powerful winds and dangerous surf, reigniting memories of Australia’s most destructive cyclones.

Coastal communities are bracing for impact, recalling the devastation left by past storms.

Cyclone Yasi (2011)

One of the most powerful cyclones in Australia’s history, Yasi struck Mission Beach as a Category 5 storm with winds reaching 285 kmph.

Thousands were evacuated, preventing widespread casualties, though over 1,000 homes were damaged and 200,000 properties lost power.

The cyclone caused AUD1.4bn in damage, with agriculture suffering a AUD300m loss.

Cyclone Larry (2006)

Also a Category 5 storm, Larry battered Innisfail and the surrounding areas, destroying 10,000 homes.

While no lives were lost, it devastated Queensland’s banana industry, wiping out 80 per cent of the nation’s crop. The damage was estimated at AUD540m.

Cyclone Monica (2006)

Regarded as the most intense cyclone recorded in the Australian region, Monica hit the Northern Territory’s coast at peak strength.

The Maningrida community suffered severe damage, though Monica quickly weakened after landfall.

Cyclone Tracy (1974)

Australia’s deadliest modern cyclone, Tracy, hit Darwin on Christmas Day, killing 66 people and flattening 80 per cent of the city.

Winds exceeding 217 kmph left thousands homeless, and three-quarters of the population was evacuated.

Reconstruction took years, with damages estimated at AUD200m.

Cyclone Mahina (1899)

The deadliest storm in Australia’s recorded history, Mahina claimed over 400 lives, mostly among Torres Strait and Pacific Islander workers in the pearling industry.

The storm surge was estimated to have reached up to 13m, swallowing entire fleets and coastal settlements.

As Cyclone Alfred looms, authorities warn residents to prepare, drawing lessons from these past disasters.

Emergency services are on high alert as Cyclone Alfred threatens to bring destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and a storm surge later this week.

Brisbane is expected to come to a standstill, with schools and daycares closing on Friday and public transport shutting down from tonight. Even typically safe areas, such as Biggera Waters on the Gold Coast, are forecast to experience flooding.

In Lismore, businesses are preparing for the worst, fearing a repeat of the devastating floods from three years ago.

Authorities have urged residents in high-risk areas to evacuate, with cyclone and flood refuge centres set to open across Brisbane from Friday morning. With four million people in the storm’s path, officials are bracing for impact as the category 2 cyclone moves closer to the coast.

Meteorologist Thomas Hinterdorfer, from Higgins Storm Chasing, advised those staying behind to seek shelter in the safest part of their homes.

“Anywhere from the most interior room in your house, to a bathroom and ideally with a mattress over you, it’s just that little bit of extra protection,” Mr Hinterdorfer told News.com.au.

“Try to stay away from windows and doors that could obviously break or blow in.”

As Cyclone Alfred nears Brisbane, most residents will take shelter indoors, but more than 1,300 people facing homelessness remain vulnerable to the dangerous conditions.

With heavy rain and destructive winds expected late on Friday, support workers are racing against time to bring those sleeping rough to safety.

Karyn Walsh, chief executive of the non-profit organisation Micah Projects, said the urgency of the situation was being met with disbelief.

“Every time we tell people it’s urgent, they don’t believe us,” Ms Walsh told Australian Broadcast Corporation.

Many homeless individuals lack access to news updates and may not realise the risks of staying outdoors.“People won’t see the danger, and with a cyclone, you need to come inside before the storm,” she added.

“It’s really hard to convey it to people, and you just have to keep going back. But we will keep going back as long as it is safe to drive.”

In preparation, staff and volunteers have been removing tents from open spaces such as Musgrave Park, while the Northwest Community Group has set up emergency shelters with around 100 air mattresses.

“There are those that have gone in early, but there are those who won’t go anywhere until there is imminent danger,” Ms Walsh said. “Because it isn’t raining yet, people think they still have time.”

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin has urged residents to leave their homes ahead of expected flooding, acknowledging the difficulty of evacuating but stressing the importance of safety.

“It’s difficult to leave your home. If you get an evacuation order, please do it. I want you safe, your family wants you safe, your neighbours want you safe – we all do,” Ms Saffin said.

She assured residents they could bring their pets to evacuation centres.

The State Emergency Service (SES) has ordered evacuations in Lismore and other parts of northern New South Wales by 9pm on Thursday.

Acting Chief Superintendent Stuart Fisher warned that worsening conditions could make rescue efforts more challenging.

“The weather is deteriorating rapidly for us. Whilst it may look like the rivers aren’t flooding, there is high concern that they will start flooding tonight and continue into tomorrow,” Mr Fisher said.

Severe winds battering New South Wales’ Northern Rivers region have begun causing damage, with a power pole brought down in Ballina on Thursday evening as heavy rain and gusts intensified.

Residents in West Ballina have reported power outages, while the State Emergency Service (SES) has urged the flood-prone town to prepare for possible evacuation.

Essential Energy told Sydney Morning Herald that around 10,000 homes and businesses from Tweed Heads to Bulahdelah have lost electricity after trees and debris struck power lines.

The energy provider warned that access to some areas remains restricted due to intense rainfall, meaning “power may be interrupted for extensive periods”.

Thousands of residents in New South Wales’ Northern Rivers region have been ordered to evacuate as rising floodwaters threaten homes and infrastructure.

The State Emergency Service (SES) has directed around 7,000 people in Lismore, Fingal Head, Billinudgel, Uki, Bungawalbin, Tumbulgum, and parts of Coraki and Kyogle to leave before 9pm, giving them just three hours’ notice.

“If you remain in the area, you may become trapped without power, water, and other essential services,” the SES warned.

“It may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you, and buildings may not be able to withstand the impact of flood water.”

Evacuation warnings have also been issued for East Coraki, parts of Bowraville, Bungawalbin, Doonbah, North Woodburn, and surrounding areas. Those outside immediate evacuation zones have been urged to stay indoors unless directed otherwise.

Authorities have advised residents to stay with family or friends where possible or seek refuge at evacuation centres. Officials have urged the public to check Hazard Watch for real-time updates.

American rapper and actor Ice Cube is among those stuck on the Gold Coast as Australia braces for Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

The musician, in the country for his Australian tour, is scheduled to perform in Sydney on Friday but remains trapped as severe weather conditions intensify. Speaking to The Project, he joked about the experience, saying the beach outside his hotel looked like it was “going to be in the hotel lobby in a minute.”

“It is pretty cool. I haven’t been through a cyclone before. I can check this off my bucket list for sure,” he said.

Actress Isla Fisher also shared a selfie with her followers, saying she was “hunkered down waiting for the cyclone.”

Ms Fisher has been filming Spa Weekend on the Gold Coast alongside Leslie Mann, Michelle Buteau, and Anna Faris. It remains unclear whether her co-stars are also affected, as they have not shared any updates.