Tropical Cyclone Jasper crossed the northeast coast of Australia on Wednesday as a category 2 storm that lashed the sparsely populated region with winds of up to 87 mph.
Jasper was upgraded from a category 1 storm on the scale of 5 before it became the first hurricane of the current season to hit Australia, Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles said.
The cyclone passed near the Wujal Wujal Aboriginal community, 68 miles north of Cairns, a city of 160,000 people.
A resident looks at storms across the Coral Sea as Cyclone Jasper makes landfall in Cairns in far north Queensland on Dec 13, 2023. AFP via Getty Images A restaurant bar is seen past a fallen branch in Palm Cove as Cyclone Jasper makes landfall near Cairns in far north Queensland on December 13, 2023. AFP via Getty Images
Wujal Wujal has a population of 300 people but it cannot be ascertained how many residents have been displaced.
There were no immediate reports of injuries and damage has yet to be assessed.
“The message to Cairns locals and those in the warning area is to take shelter now,” Miles told reporters in Townsville as the eye of the storm approached land.
An image made from this video shows people walking through strong winds in Cairns, Australia on Dec. 13. 2023. AP
“Now is not the time to move,” he added.
Emergency workers had received 150 requests for help in the hours before the cyclone reached the Queensland coast from the Coral Sea.
About 15,000 homes and businesses in the hurricane’s path have lost power, Miles said.
The cyclone is expected to cross the Queensland coast somewhere from the city of Cairns north to Hope Vale. via REUTERS
Miles had flown 680 miles from the Queensland capital Brisbane to Townsville on Wednesday so he would be closer to surveying the damage when the sun rose on Thursday.
More than 90 people had left their homes for evacuation centers on Wednesday, officials said.
They said residents in low-lying areas in the path of the typhoon who feel unsafe should move to evacuation centers early, before the situation worsens.
Strong winds are seen uprooting trees on Australia’s northeast coast, as Tropical Cyclone Jasper gathers strength as it approaches the area on Dec. 13, 2023. AP
Government meteorologist Laura Boeke said flash flooding posed the greatest threat when Jasper crossed the coast.
Although winds are expected to weaken quickly as the hurricane moves inland, flooding rains could continue for several days.
“There is a risk of river flooding as well as storm surge,” said Boeke. “We’re going to … see a huge amount of damage.”
Cairns Mayor Terry James urged residents to be prepared for up to five days without power.
“The road will be cut off. It is possible that the electricity supply will be cut off,” he said.
Trees around Cairns began toppling in 51 mph winds early Wednesday.
Cairns Airport was closed late on Tuesday due to worsening weather.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
