Ice Cube Does Live TV Interview Amid Australian Cyclone Warning: ‘I’m Staying Clear’

Ice Cube made a surprise appearance on Australian TV during coverage of a dangerous cyclone expected to make landfall this week.

“I’m staying clear of it,” the rapper, 55, assured hosts of Australia’s The Project in a live interview on Wednesday, March 5.

According to local reports, Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to make landfall as a Category 2 storm between late night on Thursday, March 6, and the early morning hours of Friday, March 7, in Queensland’s capital, Brisbane. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has already ordered military support in high-risk areas and has issued evacuation guideliness in Queensland’s suburbs, where flooding is common.

Ice Cube is staying in an Australian beachfront hotel ahead of scheduled concerts at the ICC Sydney Theatre on Friday and at Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on Sunday, March 9. While promoting those shows on Network 10’s current affairs program The Project, Ice Cube offered commentary on the storm raging just outside his window.

“It’s pretty cool. I’ve never been through a cyclone so I can check this off my bucket list, for sure,” the hip-hop legend said.

When asked whether he’d be willing to become The Project‘s special correspondent on the frontlines of Australia’s extreme weather, Ice Cube quipped: “I’m right here on the beach. The beach looks like it’s going to be here in the lobby in a minute, but I’ll go out there and stand out there. I just need some cash.”

Ice Cube has since shared messages via Instagram from fans who are planning to drive to his Sydney concert on Friday amid numerous flights being grounded in Australia.

NBC News reports that storm warnings have been issued for more than 300 miles of Australia’s coastline in Queensland and New South Wales, where winds are expected to reach as much as 96 mph. Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology has also warned that as much as 31.5 inches of rainfall and widespread flash flooding in some coastal regions can be expected.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli warned the residents of his state to heed evacuation orders before it was too late.

“We’re now into the phase where it’s hours rather than days, but you’ve still got time,” the politician, 45, insisted. “You’ve got time to plan an evacuation route if you’re in one of those zones, you’ve got time to clean up your home and make sure you’ve got the essentials. If you’re not in those areas, it’s really important that every Queenslander plays their role. This is a very rare event for South East Queensland, I acknowledge that, but I’m asking Queenslanders to take it seriously. And I want you to know that we are taking it seriously, and we have every faith that Queenslanders will respond.”

Crisafulli spoke alongside Prime Minister Albanese, who assured viewers that “all levels of government [were] working together” to prepare for Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s onslaught.

“At the worst of times for Australia, we see the best of the Australian character. People helping out their neighbors,” he said. “I saw it firsthand during the devastating floods that have occurred here in South East Queensland. We see it time after time. And I pay tribute to all those people who are showing their care for others at this difficult time.”

Australian media has documented food and sandbag shortages in Queensland ahead of Alfred making landfall later this week. Local governments have announced school closures through the region, as well as public transport shutdowns taking place as early as Thursday.