Bureau of Meteorology issues urgent warning of 'life-threatening' flash flooding due to tropical cyclone Jasper
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Tropical cyclone Jasper is looming ominously over Far North Queensland, with the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) predicting a deluge of rain that could exceed a month's average rainfall in just six hours.
As the cyclone edges closer, residents are bracing for the impact of what could be a severe weather event.
As of 8:15 am on December 13, the cyclone was detected approximately 20km west of Cairns, its centre to the west of Bougainville Reef.
Although the storm was downgraded to a category 1 cyclone last night, it is expected to regain strength before making landfall this afternoon.
The BOM has issued an urgent warning of 'life-threatening' flash flooding and destructive winds reaching up to 140km/h in some areas.
The warning zones, as of 9 am, span from Cape Melville to Cardwell, including Cairns and Innisfail, and extend inland to the Atherton Tablelands, Chillagoe, and Palmerville.
The BOM's update stated, 'There are sustained winds near the centre of 85 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 110 kilometres per hour.'
The bureau also warned of potential wind gusts of up to 140 km/h developing near and south of the track between Wujal Wujal and Innisfail, including Cairns, starting this afternoon.
Cairns Mayor Terry James stated that while the risk of a tidal surge had lessened, the region should still brace for powerful winds.
'We will still get gusts, you know, potentially up to 140km/h and a lot of rain; that's what we are expecting at this stage,' he said.
Locals, many of whom are well-versed in cyclone preparedness, have been busy clearing debris, securing loose items, filling sandbags, and stocking up on essentials.
Supermarket shelves in Cairns were stripped bare as locals prepared for the worst.
The BOM has predicted isolated six-hourly rainfall totals between 250 to 300 millimetres, likely between Cape Flattery and Port Douglas.
This is significantly higher than the December average of 214 millimetres. Some daily totals could even reach a staggering 500 millimetres.
In addition to the heavy rainfall, there are concerns about potential flooding in coastal areas due to high tides later today.
'As the cyclone approaches the coast, a storm tide is expected between Cooktown and Lucinda on the high tides on Wednesday. Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore,' the bureau warned.
'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.'
Emergency alerts were issued yesterday for Douglas Shire and Wujal Wujal, as residents were urged to take shelter in the strongest part of their buildings.
In Cairns, approximately 25,000 people living in the red and orange flood zones were advised to prepare to leave and plan to stay with friends or family on higher ground.
Evacuation centres were set up at the Edmonton Storm Tide Cyclone Shelter and Redlynch State College.
Senior Meteorologist Laura Boekel urged residents to stay up to date with the bureau's track map, which updates every three hours.
She also warned that category 2 winds could bring down large trees and move large objects that had not been secured.
'It's important to note that gale-force winds are not just gusts of wind that happen occasionally,' Boekel said.
'They can be consistent and sustained winds, so very strong winds occur at a consistent rate.'
The impending cyclone has disrupted holiday plans, with several airlines cancelling and rescheduling flights even before Cairns Airport closed at 8 pm yesterday. The airport will remain closed today, with an update expected at 6 pm.
'Do not come to the airport because the airport terminals will physically be barricaded with sandbags,' Chief Executive Richard Barker said.
'The runway itself will be available for emergency services, but there are no scheduled flights.'
On the water, boat owners have moved their vessels upstream to shelter, leaving just one solitary boat in the Cairns marina.
Queensland Premier-in-waiting Steven Miles reassured residents that the state was prepared.
'As you know, Queensland is the most disaster-affected state in Australia, our authorities are well prepared to support Queenslanders through whatever Tropical Cyclone Jasper throws at us,' Miles said yesterday.
Have you experienced a tropical cyclone before? What are your tips for preparing and staying safe? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below.
As the cyclone edges closer, residents are bracing for the impact of what could be a severe weather event.
As of 8:15 am on December 13, the cyclone was detected approximately 20km west of Cairns, its centre to the west of Bougainville Reef.
Although the storm was downgraded to a category 1 cyclone last night, it is expected to regain strength before making landfall this afternoon.
Tropical cyclone looms over Far North Queensland. Image source: Bureau of Meteorology.
The BOM has issued an urgent warning of 'life-threatening' flash flooding and destructive winds reaching up to 140km/h in some areas.
The warning zones, as of 9 am, span from Cape Melville to Cardwell, including Cairns and Innisfail, and extend inland to the Atherton Tablelands, Chillagoe, and Palmerville.
The BOM's update stated, 'There are sustained winds near the centre of 85 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 110 kilometres per hour.'
The bureau also warned of potential wind gusts of up to 140 km/h developing near and south of the track between Wujal Wujal and Innisfail, including Cairns, starting this afternoon.
Cairns Mayor Terry James stated that while the risk of a tidal surge had lessened, the region should still brace for powerful winds.
'We will still get gusts, you know, potentially up to 140km/h and a lot of rain; that's what we are expecting at this stage,' he said.
Locals, many of whom are well-versed in cyclone preparedness, have been busy clearing debris, securing loose items, filling sandbags, and stocking up on essentials.
Supermarket shelves in Cairns were stripped bare as locals prepared for the worst.
The BOM has predicted isolated six-hourly rainfall totals between 250 to 300 millimetres, likely between Cape Flattery and Port Douglas.
This is significantly higher than the December average of 214 millimetres. Some daily totals could even reach a staggering 500 millimetres.
In addition to the heavy rainfall, there are concerns about potential flooding in coastal areas due to high tides later today.
'As the cyclone approaches the coast, a storm tide is expected between Cooktown and Lucinda on the high tides on Wednesday. Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore,' the bureau warned.
'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.'
Emergency alerts were issued yesterday for Douglas Shire and Wujal Wujal, as residents were urged to take shelter in the strongest part of their buildings.
In Cairns, approximately 25,000 people living in the red and orange flood zones were advised to prepare to leave and plan to stay with friends or family on higher ground.
Evacuation centres were set up at the Edmonton Storm Tide Cyclone Shelter and Redlynch State College.
Senior Meteorologist Laura Boekel urged residents to stay up to date with the bureau's track map, which updates every three hours.
She also warned that category 2 winds could bring down large trees and move large objects that had not been secured.
'It's important to note that gale-force winds are not just gusts of wind that happen occasionally,' Boekel said.
'They can be consistent and sustained winds, so very strong winds occur at a consistent rate.'
The impending cyclone has disrupted holiday plans, with several airlines cancelling and rescheduling flights even before Cairns Airport closed at 8 pm yesterday. The airport will remain closed today, with an update expected at 6 pm.
'Do not come to the airport because the airport terminals will physically be barricaded with sandbags,' Chief Executive Richard Barker said.
'The runway itself will be available for emergency services, but there are no scheduled flights.'
On the water, boat owners have moved their vessels upstream to shelter, leaving just one solitary boat in the Cairns marina.
Queensland Premier-in-waiting Steven Miles reassured residents that the state was prepared.
'As you know, Queensland is the most disaster-affected state in Australia, our authorities are well prepared to support Queenslanders through whatever Tropical Cyclone Jasper throws at us,' Miles said yesterday.
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. Only casualty was an acacia in the back yard, never mind it needed pruning anyways. Lots of flooding around us but we're dry. 
