FNQ faces looming following Cyclone Jasper

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Its been a month since Cyclone Jasper barrelled through far north Queensland and some communities are still cut off. Roads remain blocked by walls of mud and debris north of Cairns and now fresh fears are emerging that a looming monsoon will unleash more destructive weather.

Transcript

00:00 For weeks, Cape Tribulation's post has had to come via pilot.

00:08 There have been few ways in and out of the region with nearly all roads blocked.

00:13 For this week we've been able to drive over the landslide and through Noah's Creek, although

00:17 the bridge is now reopened for vehicles under five tonnes.

00:20 But it may not be for long.

00:22 From Friday, monsoonal rain is expected in far north Queensland.

00:27 We'll still see some places pick up some locally heavy rain, which could add to or worsen the

00:32 flooding impacts that are still ongoing after Jasper in December.

00:36 There are warnings some areas could see up to 200 millimetres of rain, but that's not

00:42 all.

00:43 We're also looking at a low chance of a tropical cyclone developing in the Gulf of Carpentaria,

00:49 likely to see that risk through the early part of next week.

00:53 The Weather Bureau says there's a 15% chance of a cyclone developing, but locals fear the

00:58 wet season is just beginning.

01:01 We could have another three months of proper monsoonal wet season coming in.

01:05 That's a real worry.

01:06 Power has been restored to the town of Woodgill, Woodgill, but if more flooding occurs it could

01:11 be isolated again, along with many other surrounding communities.

01:16 The landslips are such that if we got a decent downpour now that could very well just happen

01:20 again and these people would be cut off.

01:22 People are toughing it out down here, but gosh there's limitations.

01:26 Two ADF helicopters have been deployed to the region for the next two weeks to help

01:32 with resupply and evacuations if needed.

01:35 We certainly hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

01:42 The Prime Minister today paid a visit to Karanda, north of Cairns, announcing a further $24

01:48 million in support for tourism operators, including those who have lost business due

01:53 to road closures.

01:54 You can't sell your product if people can't get into a place like Cape Tribulation.

01:59 The support package announced today is a lifesaver.

02:02 The road to recovery likely to be a bumpy one.

02:05 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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