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DECEMBER 15, 2023
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How dare you, Jasper Tens of thousands without power, and flooding now biggest worry
l FAR NORTH | Nick Dalton FLOODING is now the most serious concern, 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 which provides $850 for individuals and $900 for families suffering severe hardship because of the cyclone to be used for items such as food. Up to $5000 is available to reconnect critical services such as electricity and water to properties. “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. A LDMG spokesman said yesterday there was a chance of localised flooding with rainfall totals of up to 300mm in six hours forecast throughout the Mulgrave, Russell and Barron
A large tree came down in Macrossan St, Port Douglas, one of dozens in the Port Douglas and Mossman areas. Picture: Gary ‘Gazza’ McIlroy
catchments. 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. It said heavy rainfall was 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,” BOM said. “Significant river level rises have occurred across the Daintree and Mossman catchments.” Moderate flooding is
occurring at Daintree Village and major flooding was likely yesterday 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. By mid-morning yesterday Ergon Energy crews in Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Tablelands and Mareeba had hit the ground running. “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.
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