A slow-moving tropical storm has crossed Australia’s heavily populated eastern coast, lashing the region with damaging winds and heavy rain that’s forecast to fall for days to come. Cyclone Alfred,

Ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred has been downgraded to a tropical low, as it approaches Australia’s eastern coast. Although the speed at which Alfred is travelling has slowed, Brisbane locals have been sent a stark warning of what might be to come.

There are 400 kilometres of canals on the Gold Coast – more than in Venice or Amsterdam – and thousands of residents living along them are expected to face the brunt of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.