Tropical Cyclone Alfred has crossed the islands off the coast of Queensland as a category one system, bringing with it destructive winds and heavy rain.
The Bureau of Meterology said TC Alfred was expected to cross between Bribie Island and Maroochydore on Saturday morning.
An emergency alert was issued for Moreton Island just before 6pm on Friday night, telling residents to take shelter immediately as the impact of the storm was being felt.
Once TC Alfred crosses the coast, it is likely to weaken below tropical cyclone strength later on Saturday, but the BOM warns damaging wind gusts may continue throughout Saturday.
Warnings for heavy to intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding are currently in place for areas south of Brisbane.
Alerts for abnormally high tides and damaging surf conditions remain in place from Noosa in Queensland to Ballina in NSW.
There are dozens of emergency and watch and act warnings in place for communities in south-eastern Queensland and northern and coastal NSW, including evacuation, prepare to evacuate and stay indoors orders.
The cyclone is continuing to track north-west and is expected to cross north of Brisbane later today.
The islands, and exposed coastal areas along the northern Gold Coast saw destructive wind gusts of up to 125 kilometres per hour.
Man missing, power out to over 250,000
Emergency services have already responded to more than 300 calls in south-eastern Queensland, and flooding in New South Wales has already resulted in 4,252 incidents and a number of rescues.
More than 250,000 homes were without power across the state’s south-east as of 3am Queensland time.
Rescuers continue to search for one man who was washed into floodwaters in NSW on Friday afternoon.
Emergency services said they received a call about a four-wheel drive that had been washed off a bridge and into fast-running water while driving across Wild Cattle Creek, about 23 kilometres north-east of Dorrigo.
The male driver was able to get out of the car and secure himself to a tree branch about 30 metres from the river bank, where officers from Coffs/Clarence police district were able to speak with him.
However, shortly after 3pm, the man was swept from the tree and went underneath the water, and has not been seen since.
Beach erosion could be seen from the top of the North Burleigh lookout. (ABC News: Mackenzie Colahan)
Evacuation orders stretching over dozens of communities in south-eastern Queensland and northern New South Wales have been issued.
The BOM has warned up to 800 millimetres of rain could fall throughout the system, although the threat of storm surges has begun to ease.
Storm surges have already caused significant damage to parts of the coast, with the cyclone producing winds in excess of 100 kilometres an hour.
Gold Coast locals said parts of their famous coastline had already been completely washed away.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred had been approaching the Queensland coast for a number of days. (ABC News: Dean Caton)
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