Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper makes landfall bringing heavy, locally intense rain

14 Dec 2023 / Queensland, Australia

Ex-tropical Cyclone Jasper made landfall north of Cape Tribulation late Wednesday (13 December) evening, and is forecast to cross the southern Peninsula into the Gulf of Carpentaria by late Friday.

For North Tropical Coast & Tablelands:
Heavy and locally intense rainfall may lead to flash flooding between Ingham and Cooktown.
Damaging wind gusts with peak gusts of around 90 km/h are possible along the coast, extending inland to the Atherton Tablefrom late Thursday morning.
Severe weather for the North Tropical Coast is expected to ease Thursday evening, subject to the position of ex-tropical cyclone Jasper.

For Cape York Peninsula West of Tablelands
Heavy and locally intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is forecast to develop from Thursday afternoon.
Damaging wind gusts with peak gusts of around 90 km/h are possible from Thursday afternoon.
Severe weather is expected to extend westward.
A Flood Watch is current for the North Tropical Coast, and parts of the Cape York Peninsula and Gulf Country.

The status of affected ports are now as follows:

CAPE FLATTERY (Red)
Port closed 0900 on 12 December.
Only movements of an emergency nature permitted.

CAIRNS (Yellow)
Port closed 0900 on 12 December.
At 1100 Hours on the 14 December, the Regional Harbour Master advises that event has passed. Recovery is underway.
The Regional Harbour Master has advised that vessels under 50M may leave their cyclone moorings. Vessels 50m and over are not permitted to move.
Mariners to navigate with extreme caution and keep a lookout for debris in the water.
Mariners should maintain a listening watch on VHF channel 16 and follow advice/directions given by VTS/Port Control.
Movements will be at the RHM’s discretion and can be in stages including limited internal port movements until the Channel or areas within the Port are deemed safe.
Mariners to consult the latest Notices to Mariners for updated information on Port depths and conditions.

MOURILYAN (Red)
Port closed 0900 on 12 December.
Only movements of an emergency nature permitted.

TOWNSVILLE (Green)
The port is at Condition Green and did not close during this weather event. Shipping operations as per schedule.

ABBOT POINT & PORT OF HAY POINT INCLUDING DCT
To be the best of our knowledge, Jasper did not have any impacts on the coal mines and railways except minor delays, as the three coal terminals kept berths vacant for 2-3 days due to weather conditions and safety concerns.
Abbot Point coal terminal has resumed vessel operations since 12 December, while HPCT & DBCT resumed vessel operations yesterday (13 December).

For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at [email protected]

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.