Winds howl as Tropical Cyclone Jasper slowly makes landfall in far north Queensland

People in the region are taking shelter as Tropical Cyclone Jasper slowly makes landfall, bringing with it heavy rainfall and strong winds. The cyclone has strengthened to become a category 2 system, producing “damaging to destructive wind gusts” along the Far North Queensland coast.

Residents between Wujal Wujal and Innisfail, including Cairns, were told to remain inside until the cyclone has passed and await further advice. The cyclone is expected to weaken overnight as it moves inland, but not before it triggers flash flooding, with some areas expecting up to 300mm of rain in six hours and 500mm in 24 hours.

Trees were uprooted in Port Douglas by damaging winds, and more than 17,000 homes and businesses were without power by Wednesday afternoon. About 100 people have sought shelter at evacuation centers, and emergency services have received over 120 calls for assistance.

As the cyclone approaches, local cafe owner Anton Rafferty said people were mainly staying off the streets in Cairns. “For the most part, people are just sitting at home waiting it out,” he said.

Residents have been busy preparing for the storm, boarding up windows, securing outdoor furniture and stocking up on supplies. Others have chosen to evacuate, heading to shelters or the homes of friends and family.

The category 2 cyclone is producing wind gusts of up to 140km/h, with sustained winds near the centre of 100km/h. The Bureau of Meteorology warned that the system would bring “destructive wind gusts” during the afternoon, before weakening overnight as it moves inland.

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers expressed his thoughts with residents bracing for impact, saying “I think the whole country has the people of … far north Queensland in their thoughts today as they batten the hatches.”

Cyclone Jasper’s arrival has also triggered concerns about riverine flooding and storm surges, with residents warned to prepare for potentially days without power.

The army is poised to assist with the emergency response, and over 100 emergency personnel have been deployed from Brisbane to boost local crews. The federal emergency management minister, Murray Watt, said the government was “standing ready to support far north Queensland in any way needed in the days ahead”.

The Cairns mayor, Terry James, urged locals to stock up and be prepared for up to five days without power, warning that the roads would be cut off and power would be lost. “We’re not protected,” he said. “It’s been over 60 years since we’ve had a direct hit.”