Cyclone Jasper latest: 350mm rainfalls, chance of Category 3, Evacuation centres set up

Tropical Cyclone Jasper is expected to cross the coast near Port Douglas as a Category 2 system but forecasters still warn it could re-intensify to a Category 3. Holiday makers have been warned to reconsider travel plans.

• Waiting game: Residents brace for Jasper

Tropical Cyclone Jasper is expected to cross the coast near Port Douglas as a Category 2 system, but forecasters still warn it could re-intensify to a Category 3 before it makes landfall.

Rainfalls of up to 350mm are predicted along with flash flooding and gale force winds, with holiday makers told to reconsider travel plans.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper, now a Category 1, was expected to weaken slightly further Monday as it tracked towards the coast before strengthening.

The latest tracking map, issued at 4.47pm Monday, showed the system crossing the coast just north of Port Douglas on Wednesday.

SCROLL DOWN FOR TOWNS IN WARNING ZONE

As of 4.47pm Monday Jasper was just 425km off the Cairns coast and 365hkm from Townsville.

Latest mapping recorded Jasper producing wind gusts up to 120kmh and centre winds gusts reaching 85kmh. The system was travelling west-northwest at 13kmh.

Tracking map from BoM as of 4.47pm Monday.

As of 5pm, Jasper remained a Category 1 system but was expected to intensify to a Category 2 cyclone on Wednesday, with now a “slim chance” it could morph into a severe Category 3.

“If the system is slower and crosses overnight Wednesday or Thursday, a slim chance remains of a severe Category 3 crossing,” the Bureau said.

The Bureau is now forecasting Jasper to make landfall between Cooktown and Innisfail.

Coastal areas in Far North Queensland in the firing line now included Cooktown, Wujai Wujai, Port Douglas, Cairns, Mareeba, Atherton, Herberton, Babinda, Ravenshoe and Innisfail, with the threat extending inland to Chillagoe, Palmerville, Laura and Hope Vale.

A satellite image of Cyclone Jasper off the Queensland coast at 10.20am on Monday. Picture: Bureau of Meteorology

Holiday-makers have been urged to reconsider travel plans to the region.

Cairns Airport Chief Executive Officer Richard Barker on Monday afternoon advised those planning to fly to Cairns to check with their airline for any flight changes.

“Decisions around flight movements during weather events are handled by each airline,” he said.

“Passengers will be advised by their airline of any operational impact related to Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

“Customers may also wish to contact their airline directly with any specific flight enquiries.”

Deputy Premier had earlier said the cyclone was expected to cross the coast somewhere between Cape Flattery and Cardwell, with its impact to be felt before landfall, within 24 hours from Monday morning.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said Monday morning the cyclone was expected to impact some of Queensland’s “most vulnerable” communities, with its effects to be felt in far North Queensland within 24 hours.

It is expected to bring gale force winds and flash flooding.

Emergency services meeting about Cyclone Jasper. Laura Boekel senior meteorologist addresses media Monday. Picture: David Clark

The Bureau earlier warned damaging winds with gusts in excess of 90kmh were expected to develop along the coast from Cooktown to Townsville from Tuesday, and extend inland to Palmerville and Chillagoe after the cyclone made landfall, likely on Wednesday.

There was also a severe weather warning for damaging winds along the coast from Ayr to Mackay.

“Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is forecast to develop during Wednesday between Cape Flattery and Cardwell,” the 2pm Monday alert said.

“Six-hourly totals between 100 to 150mm are likely, with isolated falls of 250mm possible along the coast and adjacent ranges.

“24-hourly rainfall totals between 150 to 250mm are likely, with isolated falls up to 350mm possible.”

There is a current flood watch for the North Tropical Coast, parts of the Cape York Peninsula and Gulf Country.

A storm surge is expected between Cooktown and Townsville as the system approaches the coast and large waves may cause minor flooding along the foreshore.

“People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to help their neighbours,” the Bureau said.

A Bureau map issued by BoM Monday afternoon.

Residents located in the storm tide danger zone between Cooktown and Townsville have been urged to protect their property from flooding and “be prepared to help their neighbours”.

Huge rainfall totals have been forecast for northern Queensland, with up to 150mm expected within a six-hour period and isolated falls reaching 250mm along the coast.

Some areas could see isolated falls up to 350mm within a 24-hour period.

Towns within the warning zone between Cooktown and Townsville and inland to Palmerville and Chillagoe have been asked to immediately prepare for Cyclone Jasper’s arrival, by securing their property and boats.

Cairns District Disaster Coordinator Acting Chief Superintendent Sonia Smith has asked holidayers to reconsider travelling north and for those driving, to keep up to date with road closures and flash flooding in coming days.

Addressing the media Monday afternoon, Supt Smith said police were engaging with critical infrastructure providers and supply chain operators to ensure enough sandbags were made available for the community.

Queensland Acting Deputy Fire Commissioner Stephen Smith addressing media about the cyclone on Monday. Picture: David Clark

Up to 40 officers have been deployed to Far North Queensland to support local disaster management teams in Hope Vale, Cooktown, Wujai Wujai, Cape Tribulation Mossman Cairns, the Douglas Shire, Mareeba and Yarrabah.

“We’re working with our partner agencies to open evacuation centres in Cooktown, Douglas Redlynch, and Edmonton, should they be needed,” Supt Smith said.

“I urge the community to start getting prepared, and to take the opportunity to put together an emergency plan, pack batteries, a torch and a radio in case the power goes out.”

Supt Smith urged non-residents to reconsider any travel plans to the Far North “for their own safety”, including those planning to drive north during the school holidays.

“This is already a challenging time of the year on the roads. We understand that the school holidays have started and we’d ask the community that if you must be on the roads take extra care,” she said.

Those who are homeless have been directed to seek refuge in evacuation centres.

“We’re asking people to consider self evacuating and to seek refuge with family or friends... if not, the Cairns Regional Council are looking at setting up the evacuation centres, which will be a form of support for the community,” Supt Smith said.

Mr Miles said police had been deployed with evacuations set up in Cairns and Cooktown.

Evacuation centres are being set up in Cooktown, Cairns and Douglas.

Cairns Hospital is bracing for a possible storm surge.

“We are all concerned for the wellbeing of north Queenslanders particularly the vulnerable communities before and after the cyclone hits,” Mr Miles said.

“Queensland can have absolute confidence that we are ready for whatever this cyclone is going to throw at us.”

The tracking map issued by the Bureau at 2pm Monday.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll confirmed 35 to 40 police staff were being deployed up to the far north.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) Acting Inspector Manager of Technical Rescue Mark Crowe said two teams of swift water rescue experts would be deployed to North Queensland within 48 hours in anticipation of major flooding.

“This morning there will be 12 swift water rescue specialists heading to Cairns to support the local crews, bolster their numbers and help support the community during Cyclone Jasper,” he said on Monday.

An additional disaster assistance response team of 45 QFES personnel will be deployed on Tuesday.

Crews were expected to arrive Tuesday night ahead of Jasper’s arrival.

They would be strategically positioned across four areas, as the Bureau zero’s in on where Jasper would make landfall.

Crews would remain north for a week and will be rotated on the seventh day if more support is needed.

Mr Crowe said additional support will be sent north if required.

Latest cyclone track map predicting Jasper's arrival as of 11am Monday. Picture: The Bureau of Meteorology

Two semi trailers filled with disaster response equipment, including emergency pop-up shelters, will follow the swift water rescue crews north.

“We’ll be also sending a medium team, which is for us, a 45-person disaster assistance response team to follow up those swift water crews,” Mr Crowe said.

“Their primary role will be to help support the community post cyclone and assist in swift water rescues as required.

“And also they will take on the burden of conducting damage assessments in affected areas post-cyclone.”

Mr Crowe said crews were prepared to “go into harm’s way” but Queenslanders needed to follow emergency advice, and stay away from floodwaters.

“Also be aware that in the last couple of significant cyclones, we’ve had more swift water rescue incidents in the 24 hours to 36 hours post-cyclone, because people come out of their homes and they think the cyclone the danger has passed,” he said.

“Historically, we go to events where people think they can pass through water and it’s not going to affect them and tragically, they get swept away and there’s loss of life.

“Please be aware of the condition, stay aware of what’s going on around you even though you think you might know what the local road may be like under the water... there’s no guarantee of what that road is like post cyclone or during the flooding.”

Mr Miles had earlier urged those who were new to the state or visitors to ensure they were best prepared to handle the extreme weather event.

Energy Minister Mick de Brenni earlier said Queensland was bracing for temporary loss of power to thousands of properties in the state’s Far North when Jasper hits.

Mr de Brenni said while the state had adequate generation for a normal summer period, he said it was “very likely” that there would be interruptions due to loose vegetation.

“The loss of power may be something households have to deal with,” Mr de Brenni said.

“Currently we have our Energex crews deployed to Rockhampton. We have 450 up there.”

From Tuesday night the coastline will be lashed with heavy rainfall, with storms extending inland during Wednesday.

A flood watch is now active for the North Tropical Coast, parts of the Cape York Peninsula and Gulf Country.

Meanwhile, beaches between Cooktown and Townsville have also been told to stay alert for a dangerous storm tide which is expected to engulf the coast as the cyclone approaches, producing flooding.

“People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to help their neighbours,” the Bureau warned.

The “watch” zone currently includes all areas between Cape Melville to Townsville, including Cairns.

Cyclone Jasper is forecast to intensify to a category 2 tropical cyclone by 4pm Tuesday, and will maintain that intensity for two days, before weakening back to a tropical low storm about 4am Thursday.

The weather Bureau has not ruled out Jasper redeveloping in the Gulf of Carpentaria during Friday or over the weekend.

Towns in warning zone:

Hope Vale

Cooktown

Wujai Wujai

Wonga

Newell

Port Douglas

Oak Beach

Smithfield

Cairns

Yarrabah

Mareeba

Dimbulah

Goldsborough

Gordonvale

Walkamin

Tinaroo

Tolga

Atherton

Malanda

Babinda

Bramston Beach

Millaa Millaa

Ravenshoe

Miriwinni

Innisfail

Wangan

Moresby

Inarlinga

Silkwood

Mission Beach

Wongaling Beach

Bulgun

Tully

Tully Heads

Cardwell

Lucinda

Halifax

Taylors Beach

Ingham

Toobanna

Allingham

Palm Island

Towns in watch zone:

Georgetown

Croydon

Mount Garnet

Herberton

Mareeba

Chillagoe

Normanton

Karumba

Aurukun

Pormpuraaw