Ready to cop a caning
Region braces for heavy rains
AS the tropical low extending up from Townsville prepares to drop buckets on Cairns, one farmer is staying optimistic.
Smithfield cane farmer John Westaway said he was prepared for the worst.
“Any rain is good for me,” he said.
“It’s still another month or two before the cane goes up. I’m just hoping some of the farmers out west get it.”
As the Far North braces for an expected forecast of up to 80mm over the next two days, it’s more than just rain on the horizon.
The Bureau of Meteorology is monitoring two lows building off the Coral Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria.
At the moment, neither of the troughs are forecast to develop into tropical cyclones.
Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said Far Northern residents should be vigilant all the same.
“I would be very surprised if we don’t see a cyclone form in the Gulf,” Mr Crawford said.
“It’s very difficult to know where but we need people to be vigilant, especially in those areas where they’ve already had a lot of rainfall.
“There’s no ability for water to soak in there, it will run and it will flash flood fast.”
Parts of the region have already started feeling the wet.
The causeway at James Creek on Wolfram Road, Dimbulah, was washed away by 200mm of rain yesterday morning.
One driver was nearly washed away attempting to ford the waterway in his ute.
Mareeba Shire Council created a river pass slightly up stream for 4WDs.