Community
15 December, 2023
MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE AT DAINTREE VILLAGE FRIDAY MORNING
RAINFALL totals of up to 570 mm have been recorded in the Daintree and Mossman River catchments since 9am Wednesday and along the Bloomfield River, rainfall totals of up to 450 mm have been recorded.
Update: 8.45am
The Bureau of Meteorology said persistent heavy rain and storm activity would become more isolated into this afternoon with rainfall totals beginning to ease.
“A severe weather warning, which includes heavy rainfall is current for the Daintree and Mossman River catchments,” It said in a bulletin early this morning.
“Significant river level rises have occurred across the Daintree and Mossman catchments and significant river level rises have occurred along the Bloomfield River. Moderate flooding is occurring at Daintree Village and major flooding is possible on Friday morning.
“The situation will be closely monitored and river level predictions will be updated as required.
“River levels are elevated along the Bloomfield River. In response to heavy rainfall during Wednesday and Thursday, significant river level rises have occurred along the Bloomfield River. River levels are currently well below levels observed in the January 2019 flood event. River levels are slowly easing, however further rises are possible if rainfall continues.
“Major flooding may occur along the Daintree River. The Daintree River at Daintree Village is currently at 7.45 metres and steady, with moderate flooding. Renewed rises are possible and Daintree River at Daintree Village may reach the major flood level (9m) Friday morning.
“In response to heavy rainfall overnight Wednesday into Thursday, significant river level rises have occurred along the Mossman River with river levels reaching similar levels as the January 2019 flood event. River levels are slowly easing, however further rises are possible if rainfall continues.
“Remember: If it's flooded, forget it. For flood emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500. For life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Persistent heavy rainfall in the Barron River catchment has resulted in a number of Cairns roads being flooded.
Mayor Terry James, chairman of the Cairns Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG), said motorist needed to take extra care with standing water being reported across the city.
“Drivers need to be extra careful at this time,” he said.
“Roads can become slippery with the rain and conditions may cause minor landslips and changes to road surfaces such as potholes developing.
“Motorists can assist by driving carefully and slowly. This is not only for the safety of road users and pedestrians, but it also lessens the impact of bow waves, which can push water into adjacent properties.
Cr James also reminded parents to keep their children away from stormwater drains.
“We also urge residents to advise Council, via the My Cairns app or the customer service centre, of any issues with roads or drains.
“As always please do not drive through flooded roads – if it’s flooded forget it.”
The Captain Cook Highway from Holloway’s Beach to Yorkey’s Knob is currently closed in both directions alongside the Kennedy Highway from Smithfield to Kuranda and Gillies Range Road at Peets Bridge.
Floodwater is also over roads at Yorkeys Knob and rising, with police and traffic management officer currently monitoring the situation.
Inland from Mt Molloy to Mareeba, the Mulligan Highway has been closed due to flooding at Mitchell Flats.
In the meantime Ergon says Ergon crews are making great progress in challenging conditions and power has been restored to nearly 25,000 customers in areas affected by Tropical Cyclone Jasper. That’s down from a peak of around 40,000 customers.
FLOODING is now the biggest threat as well as the restoration of power to 40,000 homes and businesses across the Far North after Tropical Cyclone Jasper passed through the Cairns region yesterday.
Late yesterday morning disaster relief funding was activated by the state and federal governments.
· Disaster assistance has been activated to cover the costs of response operations and repairs for local councils impacted by Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
· Support is available to the councils of Cairns, Cook, Douglas, Hopevale, Wujal Wujal and Yarrabah.
· People living in Douglas and Wujal Wujal LGAs can also apply for Personal Hardship Assistance and the Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme.
· Personal Hardship Assistance grants can be used to purchase essential items and reconnect damaged household services.
The Federal and Queensland Governments have activated jointly-funded disaster assistance under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to support individuals and Councils impacted by Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
The councils of Cairns, Cook, Douglas, Hopevale and Wujal Wujal have been activated for support to assist with counter disaster operations and the reconstruction of essential public assets, while Yarrabah council can use funding for counter disaster activities also.
Residents of Douglas and Wujal Wujal can also apply for the Personal Hardship Assistance grants, with $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five or more available to cover the costs of essentials like food, clothing and medicine. The Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme is also available to help homeowners in those areas to help reconnect electricity, gas, water or sewerage.
“Tropical Cyclone Jasper has passed and there is no further risk of storm surge. You still need to be careful of damage, debris and fallen powerlines,” the Cairns Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) said.
A severe weather warning, which includes locally intense and heavy rainfall is current for the Barron, Daintree and Mossman river catchments.
“There is a chance of localised flooding yesterday with rainfall totals of up to 300mm in six hours forecast throughout the Mulgrave, Russell and Barron catchments, an LDMG spokesman said.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) rainfall totals of up to 390 mm were recorded in the Daintree and Mossman River catchments in the 24 hours to 5am Thursday, with 315 mm falling in 12 hours.
“Heavy rainfall is forecast to continue during Thursday. A severe weather warning, which includes locally intense and heavy rainfall is current for the Daintree and Mossman River catchments,” it said.
“Significant river level rises have occurred across the Daintree and Mossman catchments. Moderate flooding is occurring at Daintree Village and major flooding is likely during Thursday morning. Higher levels are possible with further heavy rainfall.
A moderate flood warning is also current for the Mulgrave River catchment, while a minor flood warning current for the Barron River.
Localised flash flooding is also likely.
As of 9.30am yesterday nearly 40,000 customers were without power across Far North Queensland as a result of Cyclone Jasper.
By mid-morning yesterday Ergon Energy crews in Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Tablelands and Mareeba had hit the ground running this morning.
“The top priority for restoration will be critical services, like water and sewerage infrastructure, communications, hospitals, aged care homes and major shopping centres which supply essentials to the community,” an Ergon spokeswoman said.
“Crews will also be looking to safely restore power to the greatest number of customers as possible.
“There may be some quick wins, depending on the damage assessment. Heavy rainfall and flooding may impede access to some sites.
“This is a widespread and complex restoration effort but rest assured local crews will be doing their utmost and there are reinforcements from across the state ready to back them up.
“There is likely to be widespread network damage across several shires, including Cairns, Douglas, Cassowary Coast, Mareeba, Tablelands and Yarrabah.
“Where and when it is safe, crews will begin damage assessments so they can gauge how long it will take to repair the network and safely restore power,” she said.
“We won’t have accurate restoration timeframes until then, so we appreciate everyone’s patience.
“Our crews are leaders in disaster response and keen to get out there and get the power back on for their local communities, but there’s potentially a lot of damage over a widespread area and severe weather could hamper access to sites, so we need to set realistic community expectations.
“Fallen powerlines should be treated as live and dangerous. Stay away, report them to Ergon on 13 16 70 or emergency services on 000.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles in Cairns yesterday there were possibilities of flash flooding and eight people had to be rescued from a inundated house at Mossman.
He advised people to stay off roads unless it was necessary with many roads currently closed.
Federal Disaster Management Minister Murray Watt said authorities were keeping a close eye on the system which was now a tropical low but there was a chance it could reform in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Mayor Terry James said the outcome after the cyclone was “OK for us”.
He said flooding was now the real concern.
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the planning had been “second to none” and she was very pleased with how all authorities handled the weather event.
“The public have been wonderful heeding the messages,” she said.
State Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said: “We’ve been extremely lucky and we have dodged a bullet.”
Brad Commens of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said officers had made 236 damage assessments and found 10 buildings had minor damage and eight moderate.
Queensland Reconstruction Authority chief executive officer Jake Ellwood said “at this stage there are no signficant reprts of damage”.
Yesterday morning residents and businesses within the Cairns region were asked to conserve drinking water, as work to remove debris from water intake infrastructure starts.
“Assessments of the intake at Crystal Cascades, which supplies the water treatment plant at Tunnel Hill, are being undertaken to assess the blockage,” a Cairns Regional Council spokesman said.
“To conserve the existing water supplies stored in reservoirs, residents and businesses are requested to use water for essential use only,” he said.
“Water from the reservoirs is safe to drink and does not need to be boiled. The notice to conserve water is likely to remain in place until at least the end of this week.
“Council will advise when this notice has been lifted.”
Kerbside bin collection in Cairns is continuing as normal, however there may be delays due to weather conditions. Please leave your bin kerbside.
A collection has been scheduled for households on the normal Wednesday collection.
Residents whose bins are normally collected on Wednesday are urged to place their bins kerbside for collection yesterday or tomorrow.
The council advises the Smithfield and Babinda transfer stations are currently closed due to flooding. The Portsmith and Gordonvale transfer stations are open.
Localised flash flooding is also likely.
Never play, walk, ride or drive through flood water. If its flooded, forget it.
For help, call the SES on 132 500 or download the SES Assistance Queensland app.
There could be further warnings, including flooding.
More information
Go to the Cairns Disaster Dashboard for all warnings and updates: https://disaster.cairns.qld.gov.au/
Listen to ABC Far North at 801AM, 95.5FM or 106.7FM.
For weather information, visit the Bureau of Meteorology Queensland website.
For traffic and road closure information, visit the QLD Traffic website or call 13 19 40.
For power outage information, visit the Ergon Energy website.
Public transport information go to Translink
