Queenslanders in Brisbane and the Gold Coast have been warned Cyclone Alfred poses a "very real threat" of making a direct impact from Wednesday, with an emergency official calling on New South Wales residents to "take steps now" to ensure their safety.

Brisbane were set to kick off the 2025 season when they hosted Geelong at the Gabba on Thursday, March 6. Tropical Cyclone Alfred, however, has spoiled the party.

The Australian Navy rescued a Lithuanian rower caught in tropical cyclone Alfred during his solo venture crossing the Pacific Ocean. Aurimas Mockus, a 44-year-old adventurer, was 740km off the coast of Mackay in Central Queensland when he got caught in the path of the category one cyclone with winds gusting at 130kmph.

An Australian navy ship rescued a Lithuanian solo rower who encountered a tropical cyclone while attempting to cross the Pacific Ocean from California. Aurimas Mockus had been stranded for three days in the Coral Sea nearly 500 miles off the coast of Australia’s Queensland state.

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.