Rescue for Stricken Town as High Cost of Cyclone Mounts

Published on December 19, 2023

The evacuation of a community escaping floodwaters in far north Queensland continues as authorities switch from response to recovery after days of record rainfall and damaging winds. Some areas of far north Queensland have had 2000 millimetres of rain during the past seven days as ex-tropical cyclone Jasper left residents stranded. Cooktown, north of Cairns, is taking residents from the nearby Aboriginal community of Wujal Wujal despite being low on supplies. The Australian Defence Force has sent two Chinook helicopters from Townsville to help  evacuate stranded residents, some of whom were stuck on rooftops before getting to higher ground on Dec. 18. It is hoped 120 people can be evacuated on Dec. 19 with operations expected to continue into Dec. 20 if necessary, Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy said....

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