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11 months ago
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A cyclone barrelling towards northern Queensland has been downgraded as panic buying rocks supermarkets and cruise ships are turned away.
Empty supermarket shelves were spotted in Cairns and Townsville as people prepared to batten down for the arrival of Cyclone Jasper later in the week.
On Sunday morning the category two storm, which was downgraded from a category four, was located around 900km east of Cairns but was moving west at a relatively slow pace of 7km/h.
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Jonathan How told Daily Mail Australia on Sunday that the cyclone is expected to strengthen as it makes landfall.
Supermarket shelves in Cairns have been stripped bare as people prepare for Cyclone Jasper
'We are expecting it will re-intensify as it heads towards the coast early morning back into a category three and hitting the coast somewhere between Cape Melville and Cardwell,' he said.
Areas potentially affected include the popular tourist destinations of Innisfail, Cairns with the areas north of that city, such as Cooktown and Port Douglas, likely to bear the brunt of storm.
Mr How said people living in affected area should keep watch on local news bulletins and weather forecasts, follow all the advice of local authorities and have a cyclone plan in place.
Gale force winds and heavy rain could begin lashing the north from Tuesday.
There is the potential for flooding especially if the cyclone lines up with high or a king tide.
King tides which are predicted from Tuesday to Sunday next week are heightening concerns.
'If any storm surge crosses on a high tide, especially a king tide, we can get water inundation further inland,' State Emergency Service Northern Region Director Daryl Camp said.
State Emergency Service Northern Region Director Daryl Camp said rescue and repair resources would be quickly dispatched to where they were most needed.
Heavy rain is forecast along the coastal areas of north Queensland next week as Cyclone Jasper makes landfall
'We've got plans to move up to far north regions they've got plans to come down to us depending on where that cyclone ends up,' he told Nine news.
Already on Australian territory has been evacuated with four meteorologists airlifted from Willis Island, which only measures 7ha and takes 15 minutes to walk entirely around, located 450km east of Cairns.
Bureau employees have been stationed at the remote outpost since 1921 and they are a key part of Australia's Pacific weather monitoring.
Several cruise ships that departed Brisbane to cruise the waters north of Australia have changed course and instead headed south.
This includes the giant Quantum of the Seas, which has almost 5000 passengers on board.
The $1.4b, 348m mega-liner was meant to sail to Airlie Beach and Cairns as part of a six-day cruise that left Brisbane on Wednesday but instead headed to Sydney
The category 2 storm sits about 900km off the coast of Queensland but is slowly moving west
Ship operator Royal Caribbean emailed an apology passengers saying they were 'terribly sorry' for the sudden change of plans 'but your safety is our top priority'.
Another Royal Caribbean ship, Brilliance of the Seas, also abandoned a 11-day Great Barrier Reef cruise and will instead take its 2500 passengers to Eden, Adelaide, Melbourne and Hobart before ending in Sydney.
Meanwhile, the Carnival Luminosa has cancelled a planned four-day cruise from its home Port of Brisbane to Airlie Beach due to depart on Sunday.
The ship, which can accommodate up to 2700 passengers, has also been rerouted to Sydney.
HOW TO SURVIVE A CYCLONE
Residents in affected areas should begin preparing for a cyclone as soon as the first warnings appear.
Make an emergency kit and plan
Your emergency kit should contain everything your household needs to survive serval days without access to power and clean water.
This should include:
- Enough water for three days - roughly 10 litres per person
- Enough non-perishable food for three days and cutlery, a can opener and plates
- Cooking equipment - portable stove and fuel
- Self-powered items including a radio, torches, portable charger
- A first-aid kit
- Essential medications
- Warm and protective clothing
- Toiletries
- Important documents (sealed in plastic bags)
- Cash
- Bedding
- Pet supplies
- Extra batteries
Your household should also prepare an emergency plan and know how to turn off the main supply for water, power and gas.
Your plan should include which local shelter you will head to if needed, the best route from your home to the shelter, what you will leave behind in an emergency situation, what room you will shelter in and how you will stay in contact with friends and family.
QFES also recommends filling your vehicle with fuel and parking it in a sheltered area in case you need to evacuate.
Check your property
Properties in the firing line of a cyclone need to be cleared of any projectiles that cause injury or damage.
QFES recommends clearing out your gutters and downpipes, taking down shade sails, moving caravans and boats to an undercover area or securely anchor to the ground and trimming any dangerous trees.
All outdoor furniture - including trampolines and garden pots - should either be moved indoors or tied down.
Homeowners should also check their windows and door seals are in good condition.
Check your neighbourhood
Contact your local council or energy supplier if you see any trees in your street that could fall and damaged homes or power lines.
DAY OF CYCLONE
On days the cyclone is forecast to affect your area the QFES advises closely monitoring local warnings.
Households should also:
- Fill emergency containers with drinking water
- Close all windows and consider taping plastic sheeting on the inside to avoid wind-driven rain
- Ensure everyone and all pets are inside the home
- Double-check emergency kit is ready
QFES also encourages residents to check-in on friends and loved ones to ensure they're cyclone ready too.
DURING THE CYCLONE
QFES urges everyone in cyclone affected areas to listen and adhere to local warnings shared on the radio and television.
If told to evacuate, head to your closest council shelter.
'Emergency services or local council personnel may visit your area to pass on warnings,' QFES said.
'If a warning is issued, make sure everyone in your home is aware of the warning and advice.'
During a cyclone, all members of your household should be wearing enclosed shoes and tough clothing for protection.
All electricity, gas and water to the home should be turned off at the main supply.
If your home is hit by a cyclone and you have not evacuated, QFES advises you to:
- Go to the shelter room specified in your emergency plan
- Stay tuned into local information through a radio
- Stay inside your home until officials advise it is safe to leave
If your home is damaged in the storm, QFES recommends hiding under a strong table, bench or heavy mattress.
'If you are driving when the cyclone hits, stop the vehicle and engage the handbrake,' QFES said.
'Stop well away from the sea and clear of trees, power lines and streams.
'Stay in the vehicle.'
AFTER THE CYCLONE
Do not go outside your shelter until authorities advise it is safe to do so. The eye of cyclones can appear calm before dangerous conditions pick up again.
QFES recommends checking in with family and friends once the storms passed.
If you are returning home from an evacuation shelter, follow the route recommended by emergency services and avoid driving through flood water, even if it appears shallow.
Inspect and photograph any damage done to your property for insurance purposes.
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