Australians have been urged to head to far north Queensland this holiday period as the clean-up efforts continue in the wake of ex-tropical cyclone Jasper.
More than 4200 property damage assessments have been completed since Jasper brought heavy rain and damaging winds to the region earlier this month.
Twelve homes have been confirmed as destroyed, 126 properties are severely damaged and 554 have moderate damage, Fire and Disaster Recovery Minister Nikki Boyd said.
Close to 9000 residents in far north Queensland have received financial assistance payments.
‘Open for tourism’
Even as the clean-up continues, Deputy Premier Cameron Dick is urging people to visit the region.
“The message is clear – the far north is open for tourism,” he told reporters on Sunday.
“If you’ve got a holiday plan, please stick to that holiday plan. It’s an amazing place for a holiday and we asked you to support them at this time.”
Up to 100 volunteers a day have been helping people clean up their homes after flooding in Cairns. Source: AAP / Brian Cassey
Bureau of Meteorology predicts more flooding
Flooding was likely to continue across parts of the Cape York Peninsula on Sunday as rainfall slowly makes its way through the rivers, the Bureau of Meteorology advised.
Further isolated showers and possible thunderstorms are also forecast for the next few days.
Catchments being monitored include the Mitchell River, Stewart River, Normanby River, Jeannie River and Endeavour River.
Minor flood warnings remained in place for the Lower Barcoo and Paroo Rivers.
The bureau also issued severe thunderstorm warnings for Brisbane and parts of southeast Queensland on Sunday, with intense rain and large hail forecast.
Seth Harriss, who lost his home metal working machinery worth approximately $100,000, in his damaged house at Machans Beach in Cairns. Source: AAP / Brian Cassey
But floodwaters and rain have eased in the Cairns region, allowing a massive recovery effort to begin.
More than 650km of state roads have been reopened, thousands of tonnes of flood debris cleared and hundreds of inspections completed to ensure motorists’ safety.
Rail recovery works are also under way.
The Cairns Disaster Centre said up to 100 volunteers per day had been helping residents clean up their homes after the flooding.
Volunteer crews were continuing their work on Sunday and will take a break for Christmas and Boxing Day before returning on Wednesday.
The weather bureau issued a severe heatwave warning for Sunday, with maximum temperatures in the mid to high 30s expected.
Areas in the state’s northwest affected by hot weather included Gulf Country, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, North Tropical Coast and Tablelands, Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Central Coast and Whitsundays, Central West and North West Districts.
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