Biggest flood hit Cairns: Roads swept away and people trapped

The biggest flood hit Cairns as North Queensland is seeing the worst flooding in decades following the ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper storm.

According to regional flood experts, the current flooding in far north Queensland is the worst in more than a century as tropical cyclone continues to cause damage.

Cairns water supply reaches critical level as more rain continues to worsen north Queensland floods https://t.co/Sp0YcLvPex
— Guardian Environment (@guardianeco) December 18, 2023

Cairns Flood triggers flood emergency

Australian authorities have imposed a flood emergency in north Queensland state, urging thousands of residents to move to higher ground. Local mayors have pleaded for military assistance before the water runs out at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

Australian authorities urged thousands of people in north Queensland state to move to higher ground because of the danger of flood #Floods #world #australia #Queensland pic.twitter.com/E4qaeVvtm9
— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 18, 2023

Limited Water Supply in Cairns

Cairns Mayor Terry James shared the updates in a press release about major flooding. It has caused a major blockage at the Crystal Cascades intake which supplies the water treatment plant at Tunnel Hill.

This morning rescue crews faced very challenging conditions and landslides as the biggest flood hit Cairns. They had to climb their way into Crystal Cascades to access and clear the debris from the intake to the treatment plant.

Mayor Terry has revealed some roads have simply “disappeared”. As crews wait for the water level to decrease before assessing the full extent of the damage.

Cairns Mayor Terry James has provided an update on the town’s processed water supply after debris blocked the intake to the Crystal Cascades treatment plant.https://t.co/cYPhGbdL5p
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) December 18, 2023

Click here to read the updates on Tropical Cyclone Jasper set to intensify off Queensland coast

Mayor Terry warned that Cairns has only 14 hours of safe water supply left. He urged residents to use water carefully for medical reasons, personal hygiene, and drinking.

He said their intake of water supply is blocked and roads are closed. Their crews can’t get in to clean those intakes out. If they don’t get it unblocked, they will run out of water in the reservoirs by 10 a.m. tomorrow. So, he has asked military aid to provide water and facilitate them.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services reported that teams have assessed 1,000 damaged infrastructures in the previous 24 hours through the flood zone.

Residents of Cairns are trapped on the rooftops of their homes and several roads disappeared by heavy flood. Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker has announced the flight cancellation at Cairns Airport. He said if things play out well, they could open again if it’s safe to do so tomorrow.