Ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred LIVE updates: Storm finally makes landfall as strong winds batter Brisbane; flooding across NSW Northern Rivers region

After crawling along the coastal islands off Queensland’s south-east coast for most of Saturday, the Bureau of Meteorology confirmed it finally made landfall at 9pm.

The storm hit the coast between Brisbane and Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast, and is expected to pick up speed as it moves inland and continues to weaken.

A severe weather warning remains current as a southerly wind surge batters Moreton Bay and northern Brisbane, with damaging wind gusts.

“Heavy rainfall is likely to continue over South East Queensland and northeast New South Wales during the weekend as Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred crosses the mainland coast this evening and moves inland,” the Bureau said.

“Heavy to locally intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding may also occur over coastal and adjacent inland areas as ex-alfred moves inland.

“Damaging surf may continue with significant beach erosion for the open beaches between Cape Moreton and yamba during the weekend.”