Violent winds toppled power lines Friday as a tropical cyclone inched towards Australia's eastern coast, swelling rivers, sparking evacuation orders and leaving 80,000 homes without electricity. Tropical Cyclone Alfred was 125 kilometres (80 miles) east of Brisbane by Friday afternoon,

Tens of thousands of homes and businesses lost power and people were ordered to evacuate their flood-prone homes Friday as part of the Australian east coast was lashed by wind and rain ahead of its first tropical cyclone in 51 years.

Thousands of residents in Australia's east were ordered to evacuate ahead of Tropical Cyclone Alfred's landfall on Saturday as the storm brought heavy rains, huge waves and strong winds that cut off power,

The slow-moving tropical storm, named Alfred, is on track to bring dangerous winds and flooding along the coast of Queensland and New South Wales, including Brisbane.

Cyclone Alfred stalled off Australia's east coast on Thursday as officials shut airports, schools and public transport while residents stockpiled supplies and sandbagged homes against flooding expected when the category-two storm hits.

Thousands of residents in eastern Australia were ordered to evacuate as Tropical Cyclone Alfred's heavy rains and powerful winds blast two states ahead of it's expected landfall near Brisbane, the country's third-largest city.

Australia is preparing for a rare cyclone, the first to hit the East Coast in 50 years. Authorities are issuing warnings as the storm intensifies, urging residents to take precautions.