Police and emergency services are doorknocking low lying areas along south-east Queensland's coastline, as the "area of interest" narrows for Tropical Cyclone Alfred's impending crossing.

A large swathe of Australia’s east coast is preparing for strong winds and life-threatening flooding as a tropical cyclone is forecast to make landfall around the nation’s third-largest city.

Australia’s east coast is closely watching Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which has been churning and strengthening over the Coral Sea. Although the storm is expected to stay offshore for now, it’s still set to bring gusty winds, rising swells and hazardous surf conditions to Queensland’s heavily populated coastline in the coming days.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is set to make landfall in southeast Queensland. This is why it's turning towards the coast.

Tropical cyclone is the catch-all term for the powerful, spinning storms that feed off warm oceans and the strength of which is determined by wind speeds. The strongest are known as hurricanes in the Atlantic and typhoons in the Western Pacific and simply tropical cyclones in the South Pacific.

Australia’s east coast is bracing for tidal surges, intense rainfall, strong winds and flooding as a cyclone is expected to veer toward the country’s third-biggest city.

Residents are remaining alert with Tropical Cyclone Alfred currently tracking above the Coral Sea around 450 kilometres north-east of Brisbane.

A rare and potentially dangerous weather event is unfolding in southeast Queensland, with Cyclone Alfred predicted to make landfall near Brisbane later this week. If the system reaches the coast as expected,