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Cyclone Jasper weaker but floods remain a threat

While El Nino events are associated with dryer weather, large parts of Australia experienced heavy rains and storms in December.

While El Nino events are associated with dryer weather, large parts of Australia experienced heavy rains and storms in December. Photo: AAP

More rain is forecast for a flooded far north Queensland that has already been hit by everything from a tropical cyclone to a string of break-ins.

More than 15,000 people are still without power while flooded roads have hampered access to towns in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

The category 2 system hit the Queensland coast north of Cairns on Wednesday night before weakening to a tropical low as it slowly moves towards the Gulf of Carpentaria.

The weather system is a moderate risk of strengthening into a cyclone again mid-next week.

The cyclone threat may be over for now but there is still plenty to worry about for locals, with heavy rain and winds up to 70km/hr set to continue for days.

More flooding is the main concern with severe weather warnings for large parts of the north tropical coast and tablelands as well as the peninsula and gulf country.

The most significant falls have been recorded at Cairns, Port Douglas and the Daintree with the latter receiving almost 800mm in the last 48 hours.

There is no relief in sight.

“It looks like it will rain pretty steadily for the rest of today, the majority of tomorrow with even further rain on Sunday,” a Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson told AAP.

There is a warning for the Daintree River, which may reach the “major flood level” of nine metres on Friday morning.

There are also moderate to minor flood warnings for the Mossman, Barron, Mulgrave, Russell, Tully and Murray Rivers.

“The key message here is this threat has not passed,” Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Assistant Commissioner Stephen Smith said.

People have been told to avoid floodwaters and stay inside as emergency services clean up, with crocodiles and snakes expected to be on the move.

There have been other threats, with a number of businesses north of Cairns hit by break-ins during a power outage when the cyclone hit.

Police have confirmed at least five businesses were broken into at Trinity Beach and Palm Cove with damage also reported.

They are believed to have been targeted during a blackout, with more than 43,000 people without power at one stage.

More than 500 energy crews have travelled north to assist, restoring power to almost 25,000 homes and businesses.

Ergon Energy said they would be rolling into Port Douglas and Mossman on Friday with more than 100 crews on the ground.

About 100 people went to evacuation centres with a dozen residents and a dog rescued from rising floodwaters at Mossman.

The Cairns airport has reopened and the hospital is back to full service.

But Cairns locals are expected to conserve drinking water for the rest of the week as authorities work to remove debris from a treatment plant.

– AAP

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