Severe Flooding and Airport Closure Grips Far North Queensland Due to Cyclone Jasper

Far North Queensland is grappling with widespread devastation as Cyclone Jasper wreaks havoc, leading to the closure of Cairns Airport and significant flooding in the region. The cyclone, which initially hit the coast north of Cairns on Wednesday night, has left a trail of destruction, causing houses to be inundated and leaving over 10,000 households without power.

As of Sunday afternoon, Cairns Airport has been submerged, with floodwaters reaching alarming levels and several planes partially underwater on the tarmac. Although Jasper has been downgraded to a tropical storm, its impact persists with heavy rainfall and damaging winds reaching speeds of up to 90km/h, continuing to lash the northern part of the state.

The wild weather conditions and flooding are anticipated to persist until at least Tuesday, affecting areas between Daintree and Ingham, which have already experienced over 500mm of rainfall. Cairns Airport closed on Sunday afternoon after receiving a staggering 309mm of rainfall within 24 hours, with floodwaters expected to surpass 3.8 meters.

The Bureau of Meteorology reports that more than 20 rain gauges in the region have recorded over a meter of rainfall, and water levels are forecasted to surpass records dating back to 1977. Major flood warnings have been issued for rivers such as Daintree, Mossman, Herbert, Johnstone River Catchment, and Mulgrave, Russel, and Tully rivers.

Multiple evacuations and rescues have been conducted, particularly in Mossman, Douglas, Gordonvale, and Innisfail, where residents, in some instances, had to climb onto roofs to escape rising floodwaters. While no one has been reported missing in floodwaters, a 10-year-old girl is in critical condition after being struck by lightning in Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast.

Premier Steven Miles emphasizes the unprecedented nature of the flooding, stating, "I’ve been speaking with people on the ground throughout the day, and they say that they’ve never seen rainfall like this." Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy, the state disaster coordinator, highlights the life-threatening events caused by rapidly rising water levels.

Evacuation centers are open for those feeling unsafe, and Chelepy urges residents to move promptly. The extent of the damage to homes is still uncertain, with ongoing efforts to keep people safe and assess the situation. Cairns Airport will remain closed until safety inspections can be conducted.

The Bruce Highway, a major arterial road, is closed at 13 locations between Cairns and Ingham, further complicating transportation in the region. Residents and businesses in Cairns are advised to use water for emergency purposes only, as treatment plants are offline due to flooding.

Jasper is slowly moving west after reaching the Gulf of Carpentaria, potentially redeveloping into a cyclone from Wednesday, according to Angus Hines from the Bureau of Meteorology. Authorities are preparing for potential challenges in providing support to isolated communities once the weather conditions allow.