Cyclone Alfred live updates: Homes lose power, man washes into floodwaters in NSW

Violent winds have toppled power lines as Cyclone Alfred inches towards Australia’s eastern coast, swelling rivers, sparking evacuation orders and leaving 80,000 homes without electricity.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred crossed the islands off the coast of Queensland overnight, crawling towards the densely populated coastline at “walking speed”, government forecasts said.

No deaths have been reported, but the impacts are already being felt across southeast Queensland and northern NSW.

Emergency services were searching Friday night for a man who has been washed into floodwaters in northern NSW.

Families have stocked up on essential items and have boarded their homes.

Gold Coast Pasifika community member Oketi Laurenson told Pacific Waves that the Pasifika community on Gold Coast are feeling anxious.

Follow all the latest news on Cyclone Alfred with RNZ’s live blog: