Tropical Cyclone Alfred, an unusually southern storm for Australia’s east coast, took a surprising turn toward land, putting Brisbane and nearby areas at risk. Though not the strongest cyclone on record,

The storm reached the Queensland coast on Saturday as a "tropical low" after 16 days as a cyclone, prompting preparations by millions of residents.

South East Queensland and northern NSW continue to experience rain and flooding in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Follow our ongoing coverage.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to cross the southeast Queensland coast late this Thursday as a Category 2 storm. The last tropical cyclone to make landfall in the region was ex-Tropical Cyclone Zoe in 1974, half a century ago.

IAG, which owns NRMA Insurance, CGU, WFI and ROLLiN’, had received around 400 claims by the morning of March 9, rising to 960 by March 10. Most claims are from NRMA Insurance customers for property damage caused by extreme winds, fallen trees and heavy rain.

The Australian government has announced financial relief for workers who have lost income following the impact of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which has unleashed severe flooding, power outages and property damage along the country’s east coast.

Tropical cyclone Alfred is a reminder that powerful storms have the power to show up in some surprising places.