Ex-TC Jasper flood event recovery

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper crossed the coast north of Cairns at Wujal Wujal at 8pm on Wednesday 13 December 2023. Ex-TC Jasper was initially expected to continue out to sea by Friday 15 December, westward to the Gulf of Carpentaria, taking the rain with it.

Instead it stalled over north Queensland and ultimately lead to a major flood emergency.

Recovery

• The Tropical Cyclone Jasper Flooding Event Recovery Plan ( PDF, 1.89 MB ) was endorsed by the Local Disaster Management Group and noted by Council in July 2024. The Plan outlines the range of actions, works and activity undertaken by Council and relevant agencies with a focus on community sustainability and resilience.
• Resources were made available through CRC’s disaster recovery partners to support affected communities with relief and short – medium term recovery needs identified through and social needs assessments.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper flood event

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper crossed the coast north of Cairns at Wujal Wujal at 8pm on Wednesday 13 December 2023, where it stalled over far north Queensland and lead to a major flood event, significantly disrupting Cairns communities, resulting in a disaster event.

Damage

• The Barron River peaked at 4.4m, well above the 1977 record of 3.8m
• 6,800 cubic metres of water passed the river gauge at Myola every second at the height of flooding
• 2.2 metres of rainfall was recorded in the Cairns catchment
• Treated water supply fell to 3% (equating to two hours of normal consumption)
• 941 properties damaged by flood waters
• 100-metre temporary causeway built in five days to reconnect 55 isolated homes at Holloways Beach
• 1000 tonne of flood affected hard waste collected directly from homes
• 475 metres of water piping and 237 metres of sewer main replaced or installed

Resilience

CRC’s Disaster Management Unit continues to work with communities to build disaster resilience over the long-term, following TC Jasper and subsequent events across the Cairns LGA.