Flood warnings downgraded, rain to ease for parts of FNQ
Flood warnings have been downgraded in parts of the Far North as rain levels drop around the region.
Cairns
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A number of flood warnings are current across the Far North as parts of the Tablelands, Cassowary Coast and Cape recorded rainfall of more than 200mm in 24 hours.
On Wednesday, the Bureau of Meteorology issued minor flood warnings for the Daintree Village and Daintree River, after issuing moderate warnings for the area on Tuesday.
According to a Bureau of Meteorology spokesman, rain had eased across the catchment with totals of up to 55mm recorded since 9am Tuesday.
“Shower activity around the North Tropical Coast has generally eased since the middle of Tuesday, allowing river levels to fall so we’ve subsequently seen the Daintree River warning drop back to minor, and the Mulgrave, Russell and Tully River warnings finalised,” the spokesman said.
The Daintree River at Daintree Village peaked at 7.80m around 5pm on Tuesday.
Forecaster Patch Clapp said the heaviest rainfall totals were recorded in the Tablelands, north of Mossman.
“In terms of rainfall we’ve seen, the heaviest falls has been at Upper Spence Creek, north of Mossman. It picked up 264mm and Stewart Creek Valley, near Port Douglas, recorded 268mm,” Mr Clapp said.
“Kuranda Railway station picked up 253mm and the Daintree Village had 230mm.
“The two gauges at Cairns airport recorded 199mm and 153mm so there were some heavy falls in Cairns itself.”
While the wet weather is expected to ease around Cairns, Mr Clapp said Gulf communities could expect more localised, heavy rain.
“The rainfall focus may shift to the northern Peninsula from Wednesday, where localised heavy falls and flash flooding are possible, along with renewed river rises given the saturated conditions in the area,” he said.
“There might be some heavy falls up north around the Lockhart River and parts of The Cape. There will definitely be some shower activity around Cairns, but it’s looking pretty moderate, nothing different to usual,” he said.
Despite the Far North recording its coldest day since November last year at 21C, temperatures are expected to remain in the low 30s.
“Temperatures will be fairly consistent, looking at 30C and 31C for the next few days,” Mr Clapp said.
The forecast comes as poor weather conditions hampered the efforts of Ergon crews to restore power to around 1000 Tablelands and Cape York residents following heavy rainfall on Monday night.
Power has since been restored.
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