Cyclone Alfred has struck eastern Australia, leading to school closures and halted public transport. It is expected to reach Queensland's coast by Saturday, affecting nearly 4 million residents and potentially flooding 20,

Early wind and rain from a rare tropical cyclone began lashing part of eastern Australia on Thursday as schools were closed, public transport was stopped and desperate

Millions of residents along Australia’s eastern coast are preparing for the impact of the most southerly cyclone to threaten the region in more than five decades.