Jasper prompts warnings for wild winds, heavy rain, possible flooding
Residents of far north Queensland are bracing for wild weather, possible power outages, and internet and water supply disruptions with the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
As of 4.30am on Monday, Jasper had weakened again to a category 1 system and was about 600km east of Cairns and 530km northeast of Townsville.
“Jasper is forecast to re-intensify during Tuesday as it approaches the coast,” the Bureau of Meteorology said.
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The bureau currently predicts Jasper will make landfall between Cape Flattery and Cardwell, which are north and south of Cairns, respectively, potentially as a category 2 system. The forecast tracker map suggests it might hit Port Douglas, with .
People living between Cooktown and Ingham are being warned to expect damaging 90km/h winds to develop from Tuesday.
The winds could extend as far north as Cape Melville, on the eastern coast of Cape York Peninsula, and as far south as Townsville, the Bureau of Meteorology warned.
Heavy rainfall is also expected to develop along the coast from late Tuesday.
Flooding is possible for the north tropical coast, parts of the Cape York peninsula and Gulf Country from Wednesday, the bureau warned.
A severe weather warning for damaging winds was also in place for Monday in parts of the Herbert, lower Burdekin, central coast and Whitsundays districts, with the bureau predicting gusts of up to 90km/h in some areas.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services on Sunday warned residents between Cape Melville and Townsville strong winds could fell trees and powerlines, lift roofs off houses and blow away anything not tied down.
Jasper could also cause phone and internet outages, along with water supplies, the services warned.
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Communities could also be isolated.
Queensland’s outgoing premier Annastacia Palaszczuk – before announcing her shock retirement from politics on Sunday – said she had been briefed on the cyclone.
“I can say that all preparations are well and truly in place,” she told reporters in Brisbane.
“It is expected to make land on Wednesday and can I just remind Queenslanders and especially north Queensland to take care.”