American rapper and actor Ice Cube has revealed he is currently trapped in his Gold Coast hotel as Cyclone Alfred barrels towards the Australian coastline. The star, 55, appeared on Ten’s The Project on Wednesday night, where he recounted his experience of being caught in the path of what has been described as the region’s most severe cyclone in 70 years.
A First-Time Experience
The cyclone, currently a category two storm, is expected to make landfall between Coolangatta and Maroochydore on Friday. It is forecast to bring destructive winds of up to 155 km/h, sparking widespread concern across Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Despite the looming danger, Ice Cube appeared unbothered by the unfolding weather crisis.
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“I’m staying clear of it. It is pretty cool. I haven’t been through a cyclone before, I can check this off my bucket list for sure,” he said.
“You know, I’m right here on the beach. The beach looks like it is going to be in the lobby in a minute.”
The hip-hop legend is currently on tour in Australia, with upcoming performances scheduled in Sydney on Friday and Melbourne on Sunday. Whether the cyclone will disrupt his travel plans remains uncertain.
Cyclone Alfred’s Intensifying Threat
Cyclone Alfred, which has already started impacting the coastline, has prompted emergency warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). The storm’s far western edge has begun affecting the coast from Coolangatta to Ballina, bringing torrential rain and increasing wind speeds.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli urged residents in the storm’s path to take immediate precautions.
“By tomorrow afternoon, preparing your house will be very difficult. That window is now. So, get in and do the little things,” Crisafulli warned.
Authorities have reported significant rainfall predictions, with Ballina expected to receive between 35-110mm of rain on Thursday, alongside gusts reaching 130 km/h. Brisbane is forecast to experience milder rainfall of 8-20mm, but similar gusty conditions are anticipated. On Friday, a widespread washout is expected across the region, stretching from north of Grafton to Sandy Point in Queensland.
Celebrities Caught in the Storm’s Path
Ice Cube is not the only high-profile personality potentially affected by the cyclone. Numerous celebrities and well-known Australian figures own properties in the region and are bracing for impact.
Hollywood superstar Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky’s $50 million Byron Bay home is directly in the cyclone’s trajectory. Australian television personality Karl Stefanovic, who owns a $3.6 million holiday home in Sunshine Beach, Noosa, is also preparing for the storm’s impact.
Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his wife, Therese Rein, own a luxurious beachfront property in the area. While the couple currently resides in Washington, their home—originally built by tennis legend Pat Rafter—is among those at risk. Rafter, who has since relocated just south of Byron Bay, will also need to make preparations for the cyclone’s landfall.
Residents Rush to Prepare
As Cyclone Alfred edges closer, local communities are scrambling to secure their properties. Volunteers and emergency services have been working tirelessly to distribute sandbags and reinforce flood-prone areas. Images from Brisbane show residents filling sandbags in preparation for potential flooding.
The BoM has advised residents to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and remain updated through official weather advisories. Authorities have warned that power outages and transport disruptions are likely as the storm intensifies.
Awaiting Impact
With just hours left before Cyclone Alfred makes landfall, all eyes remain on Queensland’s coastal regions. As Ice Cube continues to monitor the storm from his beachfront hotel, thousands of residents are bracing for what could be the most powerful cyclone to hit the region in decades.
Emergency services have urged those in at-risk areas to finalize their preparations, with the next 24 hours expected to be critical in determining the full extent of the cyclone’s damage.
For live updates and emergency information, residents are advised to follow local news reports and official government channels.
