Australians in some east coast areas urged to evacuate ahead of ‘very rare’ cyclone

“If you are in a storm tide zone or you’re in an area where you know there is riverine flooding, you really need to consider and think about your evacuation plan now,” Crisafulli said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said heavy-lift helicopters had been deployed and offered to “provide whatever resources are required” for the state governments.

Many residents have left their homes as authorities rush to open evacuation centers. Sandbags are in short supply and supermarket shelves have been stripped bare as people stock up on essentials.

Southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales were last hit by a cyclone more than half a century ago in 1974. The last time a cyclone threatened Brisbane was in 1990, but the system tracked south just before reaching the city.

Schools in southeast Queensland will close and public transport will shut down Thursday and Friday.

A total of 122 schools in the north of New South Wales will be closed Wednesday and Thursday, and vulnerable residents will be urged to relocate by Thursday morning, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said.

“We need to bunker down over the next 48 hours and get through what may be a very difficult time,” he told reporters.

Qantas said it had canceled a number of flights from southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales and that more were likely over the coming days.