Tropical cyclone Jasper is forecast to make landfall in the next 24 hours, so residents in northeastern Australia should prepare for destructive winds and heavy rain. Authorities have already set up evacuation centers and sent out extra emergency workers.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Jasper, which is situated in the Coral Sea around 250 kilometers (186 miles) off the extreme north coast of Queensland state, is expected to strengthen into a category 2 storm with wind gusts of up to 140 kilometers per hour.
A 600-kilometer stretch of coastline, including the tourist resort of Cairns, home to 150,000 people, is expected to get significant rainfall. Authorities are warning of flash floods in areas that might get up to 500 mm (20 inches) of rain in a single day.
Queenslanders living in our state’s far north should start preparing now. To be ready… The state’s incoming premier, Steven Miles, said, “to make sure that everything is in place as this weather event bears down.”
This summer, Australia is experiencing the effects of El Nino, a phenomenon that may cause severe weather, including wildfires, tropical cyclones, and protracted droughts.
The runway at Cairns Airport will stay available for emergency services on Wednesday, but the airport said that it would close Tuesday night and that no domestic or international flights are planned for Wednesday.
According to media reports, several grocery shelves were empty of necessities like bottled water as officials warned citizens to stockpile food and secure loose outdoor equipment.
According to Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Assistant Commissioner Brad Commons, residents should also be aware of storm tides in the sea, when the water rises beyond the highest tide levels in anticipation of a cyclone and swamps low-lying regions.
“Some of that flooding can come quite a way inland, so people who are on the eastern seaboard and in low-lying areas should make preparations to go and stay with friends now,” Commens said on ABC.