New South Wales (NSW) was facing a cyclone watch for the first time in 35 years, as Tropical Cyclone Alfred brings the risk of damaging winds, intense rainfall, and possible flash flooding, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) warned.

Cyclone Alfred, which is currently located about 550 km east of Brisbane and moving toward the southern Queensland coast, is a Category 1 system, which is forecast to strengthen to Category 2. As the cyclone strengthens, it is predicted to bring destructive winds strong enough to uproot trees, along with heavy to intense rainfall, News.com reports.

Residents across NSW and Queensland were warned by the authorities of the risk of flash flooding as the cyclone approached.

The coasts of Queensland and NSW were expected to be the most affected starting Wednesday, with the most severe conditions anticipated on Friday, when Alfred was forecast to make landfall.

The storm is expected to continue affecting the region through Saturday.

Rare for New South Wales

BOM's Steven Bernasconi highlighted the rarity of the cyclone watch for NSW, noting that........

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