‘Disaster Zone’ in Cairns, Water Shortage Due to Cyclone Jasper

A man cycles past a downed tree as inclement weather from Cyclone Jasper impacts Cairns in far north Queensland on Dec. 13, 2023. BRIAN CASSEY/AFP via Getty Images

Cairns is dealing with severe water shortages due to damaged infrastructure from floods and heavy rain brought by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

Regional Council Mayor Terry James said water in Far North Queensland has “run out,” and some suburbs have none.

“Major flooding has caused a major blockage at the Crystal Cascades intake, which supplies the water treatment plant at Tunnel Hill,” he explained. 

He said teams climbed to clear debris from the intake to the treatment plant at Crystal Cascades on the morning of Dec. 18 under “challenging conditions,” including landslides. 

“Work to restore water supply is ongoing. We are hopeful of clearing the blockage today,” he said. 

While treatment plants were down, residents and businesses were instructed to use water only for emergencies.

“Once services are restored, there will be limited water supply until the reservoirs can be replenished. Residents should continue to only use water for critical purposes until further notice,” Mr. James said. 

“We do not want to see people outside hosing their driveways,” he said, as he pleaded for the community’s “crucial” cooperation in conserving water during the challenging period.

Collaborative Disaster Recovery Funding for Nine FNQ Councils

Meanwhile, Queensland Premier Steven Miles has activated Disaster Recovery Funding for nine councils in Far North Queensland.

“Residents can access grants of $180 for individuals & up to $900 for a family of five or more to cover the costs of essentials like food, clothing & medicine,” he said on X.

He mentioned additional assistance for isolated communities, such as Wujal Wujal, where the entire town is being evacuated due to significant flooding from the Bloomfield River, affecting properties.

“People at Wujal Hospital are safe and we are seeking to evacuate them as soon as it is safe to do,” he said. 

Emergency flood warnings were issued on Dec. 17 for Machans Beach, Holloways Beach, and Yorkeys Knob, advising residents to seek shelter and not anticipate door-to-door emergency services.

Emergency funding comes as Deputy Police Commissioner Shane Chelepy mentioned crucial roads were blocked, hindering the delivery of assistance to the Cairns area.

The Bruce Highway was cut off and several bridges were damaged beyond use. 

“The rain is that heavy we can’t get any helicopter support into the communities that are isolated,” Mr. Chelepy said. 

Cairns airport was also shut down on Sunday afternoon, with floodwaters predicted to exceed 3.8 metres (12.5 feet).

Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles updated the media about Cyclone Jasper in Brisbane, Australia, on Dec. 11, 2023. Dan Peled/Getty Images

Anticipated Record-Breaking Rainfall

On Dec. 18, severe storms are being anticipated across the inland parts of Southeast Queensland and the southern interior. These storms may bring damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and large hail. The risk of heavy rainfall continues with thunderstorms.

Rain is expected to persist throughout the week, with some areas already experiencing over a meter of rainfall, and water levels are anticipated to surpass the records set in 1977.

Bureau of Meteorology’s Laura Boekel said rivers and creeks responded rapidly to further rainfall.

“It won’t take a lot of rainfall in these catchments to see more flooding,” she said, adding that there is a “very high likelihood” conditions will not ease until Dec. 19 in the afternoon.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Harry Clark said a separate thunderstorm warning had been issued for the Cairns region.

“This is on top of the severe weather warning,” he said.

Cairns Deploys Rescue Vessels 

Floods and heavy rain prompted the deployment of rescue vessels in Cairns.

Mr. Miles requested assistance from small rescue vessels at the HMAS Cairns naval base, saying the situation was dire on Dec. 17 and could not worsen.

Further, Boats from SES, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, surf lifesaving, and water police were sent following urgent calls for help. 

Evacuations and rescues have been carried out, mostly at Mossman, Douglas, Gordonvale and Innisfail, and homes in low-lying areas have been inundated.

“We have police and fire and emergency services and SES on the ground doing a fantastic job,” Mr. Miles said. 

“Do not make their job any harder.

“Do not put yourself at risk.

“Do not drive through floodwaters.” 

A bar-restaurant is seen past fallen branches in Palm Cove as Cyclone Jasper approaches landfall near Cairns in far north Queensland on Dec. 13, 2023. Brian Cassey/AFP via Getty Images

Mr. Chelepy added residents climbed onto roofs to escape floodwaters and awaited rescue while staying in constant contact with authorities.

“It was too dangerous for us to rescue them,” he said.

It comes after QFES swift water rescue teams stationed across the region received more than 50 requests for help as of Dec. 17, but there were no reports of serious injuries or missing people in the state’s north.

Last week, the affected area was declared a disaster zone in advance, granting local authorities extra powers to coordinate a response.