CYCLONE NORA Region awaits another deluge

RESIDENTS and businesses across Cairns and the Far North are bracing for more heavy rainfall after flash flooding caused chaos at the weekend.

Consistent rainfall is expected again today as well as the chance of a thunderstorm with possible heavy falls near the coast in the early morning.

Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster James Pescott said the rain would then start to ease from late tomorrow.

He said the rain was somewhat related to Tropical Cyclone Nora, moving towards Cairns and developing into to a band of showers and thunderstorms.

“That band originated with Nora and is now sitting over Cairns and becoming stationary,” he said.

Cafes and business in the city will also be on alert today after many experienced flash flooding up on to the pavement yesterday.

Rusty’s Markets was also forced to close from about 1.30pm due to floodwaters making it unsafe for customers.

Stallholder Liz Pulverenti said her family had been attending the market for 30 years and had never seen floodwaters get so high.

“We’ve never seen anything like this before … the water is up past our ankles,” she said.

“Everything is up high so we haven’t had any damage ... but the water came in all at once.”

Market general manager Justin Welsh said he’d been in the Far North for about three years and hadn’t seen such conditions.

“The drainage can’t cope with the amount of water,” he said.

“It came in from the street; it looks like a complete pool from where the cars are parked on the street right into the market.

“They’re (stallholders) obviously disappointed because we have to close the markets.

“Some people are suggesting it’s too dangerous to pack up and will come back on Monday while others are pushing through, but safety is the top priority.”