Tropical low Alfred has hit Australia's southeast coast, bringing heavy winds and rain. One person is dead, police report, and hundreds of thousands are without power as the storm knocks down trees and power lines,

Significant damage and power outages are possible in the densely populated region of Queensland, where tropical cyclones impacts are not uncommon but direct landfalls are.

Ex-tropical cyclone Alfred lingered off the south-east Australian coast on Saturday and forecasters said Brisbane is likely to miss the worst of the storm, a relief for millions of residents in the region who have been staying indoors.