Still recovering from a tropical cyclone, far north Queensland is bracing for another to make a “severe impact” as rain persists in the flood-hit region.
A massive clean-up effort is finally gaining momentum after record flooding caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper devastated the area before Christmas.
One of the worst hit regions, Degarra north of Cairns, is set to get temporary housing for their displaced residents while a major highway is about to reopen.
However, the far north have been warned there is a significant risk of another cyclone impacting the coast next week.
A tropical low that has developed off Cairns is set to become a cyclone in the Coral Sea by Jan. 22 and is a chance of tracking back to the far north coast.
“There is a significant risk that this system will impact the Queensland coast during next week - a severe impact is possible,” the Bureau of Meteorology website said.
Coastal areas from Cooktown to Mackay may be impacted by late Jan. 23.
“All communities on the east coast of Queensland are advised to stay up to date with forecasts and warnings,” the bureau said.
State disaster co-ordinator Shane Chelepy said they were working with communities hit hard by Jasper such as Degarra and nearby Wujal Wujal in preparation for another cyclone.
“We’ve been engaged with each local community through the Cape and the Gulf, and particularly those communities that are recovering,” he said.
“We’ve been engaging with them and the Queensland Reconstruction Authority to make sure that we’re prepared should we get another cyclone.”
Widespread wet weather has hampered far north clean-up efforts but progress is being made.
The Captain Cook Highway is expected to reopen on Jan. 20 while temporary housing is on the way for Degarra.
Flood impacted Degarra residents were at “breaking point” after they discovered caravans set up for temporary accommodation by the Queensland government were a three-hour walk away.
However, Doughlas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said on Jan. 16 that “common sense has prevailed” with 30 caravans expected to arrive in Degarra.
“It’s better late than never but I hope decision makers learn from this, and in the future mobilise help far more quickly and appropriately,” he said.
The Captain Cook Highway between Cairns and Port Douglas has been closed since December due to huge landslips.
Tourism Minister Michael Healy said the road would reopen in the coming days but warned it was still damaged and travel times may be much longer.
“It’s not going to be like it was before Christmas where you just jump on the road and you’re screaming along,” he said.
“It will take a long time, possibly up to two years, before we can even get back to some sense of normality.”
The recovery is also still ongoing in the state’s southeast, which was lashed by wild weather over the Christmas period.
The Gold Coast, Logan and Scenic Rim were hardest hit, with seven people killed in storm-related incidents.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the clean-up was expected to cost millions and take weeks.
A state-federal $119 million recovery and resilience package for north and central Queensland communities impacted by 2023 monsoonal floods - an area spanning 45 local government areas - was unveiled on Jan. 17.
