Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper trough drops four months of rain on FNQ in 24 hours

Queenslanders have been warned that a deadly animal may be lurking in the water as the state’s north is ravaged by floods.

Residents in Far North Queensland have been warned to look out for crocodiles among other hazards as flooding continues to torment communities impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

Some areas have been hit with a third of their annual rainfall in a 24-hour period as the cyclone’s after-effects cause widespread heavy downpours that have inundated the ground and caused flash flooding.

While its no secret that dangers lurk in the muddy waters of floods, residents may also have to look out for wildlife with a mammoth 2.8 metre crocodile spotted in the waters at Palm Creek in Ingham.

Locals spotted the reptile in Ingham, about 115km north of Townsville.

The crocodile has since been captured but there are concerns more may be lurking in the water.

Residents spotted the ferocious animal poking its head out of the raging flood, capturing footage of it waiting for its next meal.

Premier Steven Miles has also warned residents to take care around waterways. 

“It remains critical that the public continues to listen out for alerts, we’re also hearing reports of wildlife,” he said.

“There are crocodiles in many of these waterways so please take care around these floodwaters and especially take care if you’re intending to drive.”

Crocodiles aren’t the only thing that residents have to worry about in floodwaters, with Queensland chief health officer Dr John Gerrard warning that murky water can contain sewage, debris and animal waste which can significantly increase the risk of serious illness.

“Contaminated floodwater and mud are breeding grounds for bacteria and debris, significantly increasing the risk of infections such as leptospirosis and melioidosis, as well as wound infections, diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, and ear, nose and throat infections,” Dr Gerrard said.

“It’s important people avoid walking or wading through floodwater and mud as much as possible – particularly if they have open wounds or broken skin.

“People should visit their doctor as soon as possible if they have a cut or wound that becomes dirty, red, sore, or deep.”

Symptoms of leptospirosis, a potentially fatal bacterial disease spread through at urine, include fever, bleeding, vomiting and muscle pains and can lead to severe kidney and liver damage.

Authorities are repeating one message to locals as water levels remain high: if its flooded, forget it.

BOM reports a trough associated with Jasper produced more than 500mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9am Monday in the Daintree, Mossman, and Barron catchments.

To put that in perspective, the Barron catchment on average receives 1442mm per year, with 500mm equating to about four months worth of rain in a 24 hour period,

The Mossman catchment gets 2109mm in the same time, according to Queensland government data.

“Subject to verification, some sites have recorded up to around 800mm,” reads an update on BOM Queensland’s X account (formerly Twitter).

🌧️ A trough associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper produced more than 500 mm of rainfall at sites in the North Tropical Coast over the past 24 hours to 9am, in the Daintree, Mossman and Barron catchments. Subject to verification, some sites have recorded up to around 800 mm. pic.twitter.com/EWg4vtVmfO

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) December 18, 2023

Some areas of far north Queensland have been hit by more than 500mm of rain in 24 hours. Picture: Zoom Earth

Severe flooding is still occurring along the Bloomfield River while the Daintree River is seeing moderate floods according to the Bureau.

“The Daintree River at Daintree Village is currently at 8.85 metres and falling, with moderate flooding. The Daintree River at Daintree Village is likely to remain above the moderate flood level (6.00 m) overnight Monday into Tuesday,” it warned.

Flood warnings still remain in place for the Herbert River, however, water levels are currently falling across most of the flood.

Major flooding is still occurring downstream of Nash’s Crossing at Abergowrie Bridge, Ingham Pump Station, Gairloch and Halifax. The water is expected to remain above the minor flood level on Tuesday morning.

Those living along the Murray and Tully Rivers are also experiencing continued flooding with water levels unlikely to drop below eight metres on Monday evening.

While emergency workers have been working tirelessly to respond to hundreds of calls for assistance, the Premier warns that “significant rainfall has continued to hamper efforts to get aircraft into certain locations”.

“An attempt was made to evacuate Wujal Wujal today, but unfortunately, the rain and cloud is still too strong,” Mr Miles said.

“Another attempt is now planned for 8am tomorrow. It’s a very detailed plan underway for how to do that and then how to take care of them in the evacuation centre.”

Earlier, nine people were trapped on the roof of a hospital, and five people needed rescue from their roof as dangerous flooding tears through the region.

Freshly-appointed Queensland Premier Steven Miles said he is “most concerned” about the nine people who have spent the night on the roof of Wujal Wujal clinic and five people stuck on the roof of their homes in Degarra.

“Everything is being done to rescue them, unfortunately the rain is so heavy and the cloud so low, we can’t get aerial support in and the roads are blocked” he told Today on Monday.

Nine trapped on roof of Wujal Wujal clinic as floods hit town. Picture: Wujal Wujal Health Clinic

He said his office have been in contact with them over the phone.

Meanwhile, a person has also been found dead in a home in Cairns’ northern beaches -- although authorities are working to determine if the death is the result of a medical episode rather than of the natural disaster.

The state has pulled “every single boat they could find” to conduct the almost 300 rescues made overnight in and around Cairns.

“So everyone from the yacht club to the navy, to SES, to even the surf lifesavers,” Mr Miles said.

Mr Miles said he has spoken to people who have lived in Cairns their entire life, and they say they have “never seen anything like this”.

“While we were expecting very heavy rainfall in the wake of the cyclone, this is next level” he said.
“We need people to get themselves to evacuation centres if they’re concerned, if they can’t do so safely they need to contact us and we will get out crews to them as soon as we can.”

Widespread heavy rainfall occurred in parts of FNQ from 14-18th December 2023. Many areas from Tully to Cape Melville had 400-1000 mm with localised falls of 1200-1600 mm between Cairns & Cooktown. For maps of recent/past conditions: https://t.co/Iyz8GcsS2upic.twitter.com/7YMPFPzV8y

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) December 18, 2023

The Young Animal Protection Society shelter in Smithfield is currently underwater but community members and volunteers have managed to get all the animals to safety before floodwaters arrived.

“By the time we were bringing dogs out, we were all running through almost knee-high waters and the kennels were underwater,” shelter supervisor Kelly Brown told Today.

They shared a post on social media asking community members to help house the dogs during the emergency situation and were overwhelmed by the effort to help.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on Monday morning, defence personnel are on standby to assist with the recovery effort.

An animal shelter in Smithfield is underwater. Picture: Facebook

Community members have taken the dogs in. Picture: Facebook

“Of course many of those communities will be very difficult to get to, which is why the ADF assets will be important in reaching those people in those communities,” he told listeners of ABC radios’ AM program.

“People have been devastated and of course it’s a very dangerous situation for many who are in very unprecedented floodwaters,” Mr Albanese said.

“The important thing at this point in time is to ensure that people are kept safe and that is a real concern.

“A number of people are isolated and have needed rescuing from their terrible circumstances. So just our thoughts go to all people in those communities at this at this very difficult time.”