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Palm Island is now in Cyclone Jasper’s firing line, with its council CEO admitting “it makes us nervous”.
At 4pn Monday, Category 1 Tropical Cyclone Jasper was 365km east northeast of Townsville and moving at 13km/hr towards the Queensland coast.
The Bureau forecast the system to “re-intensify during Tuesday as it approaches the coast”, likely to cross as a category 2 on Wednesday between Cooktown and Innisfail.
However the Bureau warned if the system slowed down, “a slim chance remains of a severe category 3 crossing”.
The Palm Island community was feeling the isolation as ferry and barge services stopped.
Chief executive Michael Bissell said the council was “keeping a close eye on it” and had prepared, but still had some concerns that needed resolving.
“We couldn’t get some sandbags across with the weather, we put the order in, but we’re probably short a few hundred,” he said.
“We’re probably a bit short of some non-perishable foods if it went for any longer than a few days, but … we’ve got good support from relevant agencies.”
The council had received government funding which had paid for additional generators, which would be used to supply power for water and sewerage services.
“The store is well stocked, the hospital is well stocked, there’s staff on, the police are well staffed. We’ve spoken to SES and QFES regularly just making sure we have what we need.
“We’ve got about 15,000 litres of diesel there, that’s enough for two and a half weeks of general use.”
Damaging wind gusts over 90km/hr is expected along the Queensland coast between Cooktown and Townsville from last night.
Heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding is forecast to develop during Wednesday between Cape Flattery and Cardwell with 24-hourly rainfall totals between 150 to 250mm likely, with isolated falls up to 350mm possible.
“As the cyclone approaches the coast, a storm tide is expected between Cooktown and Townsville,” the Bureau warned.
“Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore. 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.”
Forecast rain / flooding
A separate severe weather warning is current for damaging winds for the coast between Ayr and Mackay.
Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is forecast to develop during Wednesday between Cape Flattery and Cardwell.
Six-hourly totals between 100 to 150mm are likely, with isolated falls of 250mm possible along the coast and adjacent ranges. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 150 to 250mm are likely, with isolated falls up to 350mm possible.
A flood watch is current for the North Tropical Coast, parts of the Cape York Peninsula and Gulf Country.
As the cyclone approaches the coast, a storm tide is expected between Cooktown and Townsville. Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore.
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.
Port of Townsville on ‘Condition Yellow’
The Port of Townsville has moved to ‘Condition Yellow’ in preparation for Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
The Port remains operational and there has been no disruption to shipping activities, however channel widening has been suspended due to unfavourable sea conditions.
High winds may impact shipping movements over the next 24 hours.
Current cyclone preparations being conducted at the Port of Townsville include:
Minimising cargo heights on berths and laydown areasRemoving equipment from tidal surge or flood prone areasImplementing tie-down plans for cranes and shiploaders, securing buildings and clearing debris andContinued monitoring and consultation with Port users.
Port of Townsville general manager customer, operations and safety Drew Penny said the Port was well prepared for wild weather should it eventuate over the coming days.
“The Port of Townsville begins its cyclone preparedness on 1 November each year and has a well-defined plan for moving through the various stages of cyclone preparedness,” Mr Penny said.
“We are continuing to implement precautionary measures in-line with advice from the Bureau of Meteorology and are working closely with Maritime Safety Queensland and Port users to ensure proper preparedness as we move to Condition Yellow.”
NQ rivers on Flood Watch
Issued at 12:11pm Monday, December 11: Minor to major flooding possible across flood watch area from Wednesday.
Tropical Cyclone Jasper is currently moving westward through the Coral Sea towards the northern Queensland coast. Jasper is likely to cause widespread rain in the Cape York Peninsula, North Tropical Coast and adjacent Gulf of Carpentaria catchments from late Tuesday.
As the tropical cyclone approaches the coast abnormally high tides are possible.
Widespread rainfall is likely in the Flood Watch area from late Tuesday. The heaviest rainfall is dependent on the track of Tropical Cyclone Jasper and is currently forecast for coastal catchments north of Innisfail from Wednesday.
Heavy falls are also forecast later in the week across the southern Cape York Peninsula.
Widespread minor to moderate riverine flooding is likely from Wednesday. In the areas of heaviest rainfall, major flooding is possible. Flooding may be exacerbated in coastal areas with the high tide.
In addition, localised flooding, including flash flooding is likely.
Flooding is likely to result in disruption to transport routes and isolation of some communities.
Catchments likely to be affected include:
Gilbert RiverMitchell RiverStaaten RiverStewart RiverNormanby RiverJeannie RiverEndeavour RiverDaintree RiverMossman RiverBarron RiverMulgrave and Russell RiversJohnstone RiverTully RiverMurray RiverHerbert RiverBlack RiverRoss and Bohle RiversHaughton RiverBurdekin River to Burdekin Falls Dam
Remember: If it’s flooded, forget it.
For flood emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.
For life threatening emergencies, call triple-0 (000) immediately.
Originally published as Cyclone Jasper: Townsville’s storm surge map, track map and forecast
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