Schools and businesses in impact zones across south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales will close from today as Tropical Cyclone Alfred gets closer to the coast.
The category 2 storm is expected to make landfall late today or Saturday, bringing with it damaging winds, intense rainfall and the possibility of flash flooding.
Sports and other events have also been called off in anticipation of the cyclone's arrival.
Here's everything you need to know about school, business and other closures and cancellations as Cyclone Alfred approaches.
School closures: Queensland
More than 660 Queensland schools remain closed as the storm approaches the coast.
Childcare centres and universities have also shut their doors.
School closures: New South Wales
In northern New South Wales, more than 200 schools have closed as local communities brace for impact.
Local childcare centres in the affected areas have also shut until further notice.
Sport and other events
AFL and NRL games in south-east Queensland have been shifted or postponed ahead of Cyclone Alfred's arrival, including tonight's AFL season opener between the Brisbane Lions and Geelong Cats.
Saturday's AFL match between the Suns and Essendon at Carrara has also been postponed.
The NRL game between the Dolphins and the Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night has been relocated to Sydney's Commbank Stadium.
A Saturday night Women's A-League match at Perry Park has been called off.
Other sporting events including the Australian Boardriders Battle grand final, the Queensland Surf Life Saving Championships, WPGA tournament and Mooloolaba Triathlon have been cancelled or postponed.
Junior and amateur sport events, community events, local markets and the like have been cancelled in the affected areas as well.
Coalition Senator Matt Canavan also said it would be "common sense" for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to not call a federal election.
It was widely speculated the federal election would be called for April 12 this Sunday.
Thousands of NSW fish deaths expected due to cyclone 'blackwater'
Business closures
Hospitals will remain open and will provide emergency care throughout the storm, but elective surgeries scheduled have been postponed until after the storm.
Many businesses in southeast Queensland closed on Thursday, as did council libraries, community halls, golf courses, pools and playgrounds, and remain closed.
Supermarkets started to close across both states on Thursday, with both Woolworths and Coles shutting doors across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and parts of northern NSW.
Those stores remain closed today.
"As Cyclone Alfred gets closer, we have made the decision to begin closing our stores in highly impacted areas. This will ensure our team have time to get home while it is still safe," a Coles spokesperson said on Friday.
Airports
Airports in Queensland and northern New South Wales have started to close.
Dozens of flights have been axed and Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ballina, and Coffs Harbour airports have stopped operating.
Travellers who had flights booked over the next few days have been urged to stay in contact with airlines for updates.
Several airlines offered customers booked on flights in the affected areas flexible travel options to avoid flying during the worst of the storm.
Public transport
In southeast Queensland, bus, train and ferry services remain at a standstill.
Disruptions are also expected in parts of New South Wales, with Burns Point Ferry services in Ballina already stopped.
Road closures
Road closures are expected in Queensland and parts of northern New South Wales when the cyclone makes landfall and travellers in affected areas have been warned to avoid unnecessary journeys.
All major roads and bridges in Queensland will be closed when winds reach 90km/h.
People in Queensland are advised to monitor the QLD Traffic website for updates, those in New South Wales can monitor the Live Traffic NSW site for closures.
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