The Squiz 

If last week was all about bracing for ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, this week is about dealing with its after-effects of record downpours and flooding… Residents in Far North Queensland have been under severe weather warnings, with major roads across the region closed and more than 300 rescues carried out by emergency crews so far – including people forced to climb onto roofs. Yesterday, Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed the Defence Force is involved with HMAS Cairns helping rescue stranded residents and choppers assisting isolated residents. At the state level, Queensland’s newly-minted Premier Steven Miles says “every single resource is being allocated” to keep people safe – including from crocodiles. 

What’s happened?

One of the towns that has been inundated is Wujal Wujal – an Indigenous community 70km south of Cooktown. The town has been cut off by rising flood waters, and authorities are hoping to evacuate all of its 300 residents by air this morning after the first attempt yesterday stalled. And in Cairns, they’re expecting it to be the worst flooding in a century, with James Cook University Professor Jonathan Nott saying waters are now 30-40% higher than the 1977 flood – its biggest on record. The airport is reopening today after floodwaters and debris covered the runways and left some planes underwater yesterday. And north of there, river levels have gone above the 2019 flood records in the Daintree, with at least 684mm of rain falling in one spot in the 24 hours to yesterday morning. They have been cut off since the cyclone first hit, and the ongoing rain isn’t making things any easier. 

What’s the forecast for today?

The Bureau of Meteorology says the rain’s tipped to continue easing today… But that doesn’t mean it’s smooth sailing from here on out. Given the drenching it’s just experienced, the region is expected to be dealing with floodwaters for a while yet, and the main advice from authorities for locals is to conserve water for essential purposes. Cairns Mayor Terry James yesterday said the city’s water supply was at a “critical” stage after its water treatment facility was blocked by debris, leaving about 14 hours of clean drinking water. Residents in 9 of the hardest-hit FNQ council areas have been offered disaster relief payments to help with immediate essentials like clothing and medicine. And as for the cost of the disaster, it’s early days, but state Treasurer Cameron Dick says the state is set for a “billion-dollar impact”…