Residents warned to prepare food and water and secure properties as BoM predicts Alfred will make landfall anywhere between Bundaberg and northern New South Wales

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Cyclone warnings have been issued for more than 4 million people in two states – extending as far south as Grafton in New South Wales – as authorities warn it is “increasingly likely” that Tropical Cyclone Alfred is preparing a destructive arc towards Australia’s east coast.

The Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, said weather modelling from overnight and Monday morning had reinforced the prospect that Alfred would soon veer towards southeast Queensland.