A large swathe of Australia’s east coast is preparing for strong winds and life-threatening flooding as a tropical cyclone is forecast to make landfall around the nation’s third-largest city.

A Lithuanian solo rower who became caught in treacherous seas caused by a cyclone off Australia's east coast over the weekend has been rescued, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said Monday.

Lithuanian Aurimas Mockus was rescued by the Australian Navy after a cyclone ended his attempt to row across the Pacific Ocean. NBC News' Steven Romo shares how the man's 7,500-mile journey was cut short by the storm.