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 heavily populated stretch of Australia’s eastern coast battened down Tuesday for what could be the first tropical cyclone to pummel the region in 50 years. Tropical Cyclone Alfred was swirling about 550 kilometers (340 miles) east of major city Brisbane,

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.

Australia’s east coast is bracing for tidal surges, intense rainfall, strong winds and flooding as a cyclone is expected to veer toward the country’s third-biggest 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.

Aurimas Mockus had been adrift for three days off the coast of Queensland after rowing nonstop from San Diego.