Australia's east coast braced on Wednesday for a tropical cyclone that is swirling towards Brisbane, the country's third-most populous city, as authorities warned thousands of properties were at risk due to strong winds and flash flooding.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is bearing down on Queensland's southeast coast as a category two system, and could intensify before making landfall on Thursday night.

Brisbane, Australia hasn't had a direct cyclone landfall in 35 years. Officials warn that Cyclone Alfred could be one of the most destructive storms in decades. Meteorologist Laura Power has all the details.

In Brisbane, preparations are well underway for the arrival of tropical Cyclone Alfred. The category two system is expected to cross the coast near Brisbane late on Thursday or early Friday. Among those in the midst of preparations is Nadine Ramsey from the State Emergency Service in Brisbane and she says Queenslanders are also getting ready for what's ahead.