Communities in Queensland and NSW have been spotted panic buying, and stripping supermarket shelves bare, as they brace themselves for the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Because while the cyclone has already whipped up waves more than eight metres tall, in one area off the coast of Queensland, it’s expected to hit land tomorrow, or Friday. But just how bad might the damage be, this time around?

Today, senior meteorologist Angus Hines, from the Bureau of Meteorology, on why Tropical Cyclone Alfred is so unusual, and where it’s expected to hit. And on the increasing numbers of Australians who are looking to social media, and storm-chasing websites, rather than government trackers, for information about this cyclone.