But while authorities have been warning residents to stay indoors as Cyclone Alfred approaches, die-hard surfers have been throwing caution to the increasing wind."This is what we look forward to," said Jeff Weatherall as he waited for a jet ski to pick him up from Kirra beach and carry him into the big waves.

Billions of dollars of damage are expected to follow Tropical Cyclone Alfred, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says, as new research suggests one in five Australians are facing an "impossible choice" when it comes to insurance costs.