One person has been confirmed dead and several injured as rain lashed the Australian east coast, even though it avoided the destructive winds of its first tropical cyclone in 51 years. Tropical Cyclone Alfred had been expected to become the first cyclone to cross the Australian coast near the Queensland state capital of Brisbane,

Residents are stacking sandbags to protect low-lying properties ahead of a tropical cyclone that is forecast to become the first in 51 years to hit the Australian east coast near Brisbane, the nation’

Airports in eastern Australia, including Brisbane and Gold Coast, have been closed due to Cyclone Alfred, a category 2 storm. Air New Zealand suspended operations, and authorities issued evacuation orders and shut down schools and public transport.