Battling region hit again by heavy rain, cyclone threat

Still reeling from wild weather, far north Queensland is bracing for more flooding with another cyclone threat looming.

All roads are closed north of the Daintree River near Cairns due to landslips and rockfalls after again being hit hard by heavy rain.

Daintree village has recorded 234mm of rain, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning there is a chance of more downpours on Friday night.

Overnight rain damaged a supply main, prompting water restrictions for Port Douglas, Mossman and Newell Beach areas.

The far north is still recovering from record flooding caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper just weeks ago.

Premier Steven Miles said the work that had already been done in the region would have residents well prepared for the predicted drenching.

"This has always been our concern that weather events struck before the proper wet season had started," he said.

"We've been working to get those communities back and ready for when more bad weather strikes and now we have these forecasts that it will be coming.

"The work that we've done to get the roads reopened, to get the power back on, to get people back into their homes or crisis accommodation will have them well prepared."

There are flood warnings for six rivers across north Queensland.

A monsoon trough in the Gulf of Carpentaria may form a tropical low on Friday, with a low chance of developing further into a tropical cyclone on Sunday.

Flood damaged belongings at Machans Beach in Cairns (file image)
The wet weather has returned as communities try to rebuild in Cyclone Jasper's aftermath.

"If the conditions are right and these systems stay over water long enough they may deepen into tropical cyclones," the Bureau's Miriam Bradbury said.

"Whether or not they do become tropical cyclones, we are still expecting a heavy rainfall and flooding risk across northern parts of Australia."

Record flooding caused by Jasper destroyed homes and prompted the evacuation of about 300 people from Wujal Wujal.

Cairns Mayor Terry James said he was concerned more flooding would impact his region with heavy rain set to coincide with king tides.

"This can lead to significant amounts of fast-flowing water rushing into our water systems," he warned.

Wokers help clear up storm damage in Mount Tamborine
More than 121,000 people in Queensland have received some $22 million in recovery payments.

Mr James predicted it would take up to two years to repair the damage from recent floods.

Federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt hoped the latest wet weather did not derail the far north's massive recovery effort.

"Even without possibly more cyclones, there is more rain forecast for those areas ... so there is a risk of some more minor flooding," he said.

"Our motto is always ‘hope for the best and prepare for the worst’ and that's what people are doing now."

Residents hit hard by Jasper have another four weeks to apply for financial assistance.

More than 121,000 people across the state have already received almost $22 million in disaster recovery funding.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store