Cyclone Jasper weaker but floods still threaten

The cyclone danger may have passed but far north Queensland has been warned it is still under threat with flooding set to test locals.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper weakened after crossing the coast north of Cairns on Wednesday night, expected to reach the Gulf of Carpentaria by the weekend.

While Jasper has been reduced to a tropical low, people left in its destructive path are bracing for heavy rainfall and damaging winds of up to 90km/h.

“This event is not over,” Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick warned.

There are severe weather warnings for large parts of the north tropical coast and tablelands as well as the peninsula and gulf country.

Rains bringing 150 to 200mm are expected in the region with isolated falls of up to 400mm.

There are major flooding warnings for the Daintree, Barron and Mossman rivers.

“The key message here is this threat has not passed. We’ve got a lot of water moving through the system, still significant rainfall coming down,” Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Assistant Commissioner Stephen Smith said.

People have been told to avoid floodwaters and stay inside as emergency services clean up, with crocodiles and snakes expected to be on the move.

“It is pleasing to hear there has been reasonably limited damage in terms of property,” Federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said.

“But…the really key focus is going to be on the flooding that we are going to be seeing from what is continuing, very heavy rain.”

More than 500 energy crews have travelled north to assist with more than 40,000 homes and businesses at one stage without power.

“The top priority for restoration will be critical services,” Ergon Energy said.

About 100 people went to evacuation centres with a dozen residents and a dog rescued from rising floodwaters at Mossman.

Cairns was one of the worst hit with 25,000 homes and businesses at one stage without power amid reports of looting.

The Cairns airport has reopened and the hospital is back to full service.

But Cairns locals are expected to conserve drinking water for the rest of the week as authorities work to remove debris from a treatment plant.