Stalled Cyclone Jasper could worsen off far north Queensland coast

Tropical Cyclone Jasper could strengthen to a category three storm if it stalls off the coast before making landfall near Port Douglas later in the week.

Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles on Monday. Picture: Getty Images

Tropical Cyclone Jasper may strengthen into a category three storm if it “stalls” off the coast before making landfall near Port Douglas, in far north Queensland, in the coming days.

The system weakened to a category one cyclone overnight but was expected to re-intensify, with forecasters warning of flash floods, gale force winds and heavy rainfall when it likely crosses the coast around lunchtime on Wednesday.

TC Jasper was 600 kilometres east of Cairns and 530 kilometres east-northeast of Townsville on Monday afternoon, moving west at a speed of 20 kilometres per hour.

Senior meteorologist Livio Regano said there was a chance of a severe category three crossing if the system slows down and crosses overnight Wednesday or Thursday morning.

“The cyclone warning is currently from Cooktown to Townsville and that means that within 24 hours and crossing in that area is possible,” Mr Regano said.

“There is a chance it might cross as a severe cyclone of category three, but only if it stalls because it spends more time over a favourable area of the ocean, it’ll have a better chance to grow back to category three.”

Destructive winds of 90 km/hr were expected to develop along the Queensland coast between Cooktown and Cardwell, extending to Cairns from Tuesday.

The impact could extend as far south as Townsville or as far north as Cape Melville, depending on the cyclone’s movement.

Heavy rainfall was also predicted to begin late Tuesday, prompting a flood watch for the North Tropical Coast, parts of Cape York Peninsula, and Gulf Country.

Prisoners filling sandbags in preparation for Cyclone Jasper. Photo: Supplied

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

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the safety of Queenslanders was his top priority, with evacuation centres being set up in Cooktown, Cairns, and Port Douglas.

“Now more than ever, it’s important to remind people that if the road is flooded, forget it,” Mr Miles said.

Cairns district disaster coordinator acting chief superintendent Sonia Smith asked people to reconsider travelling north during the storm.

Low-risk prisoners at Innisfail Work Camp have also been tasked to prepare for the cyclone by clearing drains, cutting trees and filling sandbags.