Tropical Cyclone Jasper is expected to cross the northern Queensland coast on Wednesday bringing gale-force winds, heavy rainfall and the risk of flash flooding. 

Jasper had eased to category one intensity this morning, but it’s likely to gather momentum and reach the coast at category two strength, with a “slim chance” of a severe category three crossing if it moves more slowly than expected. 

“We could see a crossing somewhere between Cooktown and Cardwell. The most likely area is just to the north of Cairns around the Port Douglas area,” Bureau of Meteorology Meteorologist Dean Narramore said this afternoon.  

Impacts are likely to be “wide and vast” and include destructive winds that could bring down trees and powerlines and cause property damage, while heavy rainfall could cause flash and riverine flooding, he says 

The Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation (ARPC) has declared an event for Jasper, meaning that the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool will cover damage and related flooding for claims lodged with insurers that have joined the scheme. 

Jasper, which formed over the Solomon Sea last week, is the first cyclone in the Australian area of responsibility this season. 

Winds with gusts over 90 km/h are expected to develop along the coast between Cooktown and Townsville, including Cairns, from tomorrow and are likely to extend inland to Palmerville and Chillagoe after the cyclone has crossed the coast. 

Heavy rainfall is also forecast to develop between Cape Flattery and Cardwell. Six-hourly totals between 100 to 150 mm are likely, with isolated falls of 250 mm possible along the coast and ranges.  

The bureau says 24-hourly rainfall totals between 150 to 250 mm are likely, with isolated falls up to 350mm possible, while a storm tide and large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore. 

“People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to help their neighbours,” it says. 

The bureau also issued a warning for locally damaging winds further south along the coastline, associated with Jasper’s passage to the north. 

Looking ahead, Jasper is likely to weaken as it tracks across the Cape York Peninsula and could redevelop as a cyclone over the Gulf of Carpentaria during Friday or next weekend. 

Most large insurers have joined the ARPC-administered Cyclone Reinsurance Pool, ahead of a year-end deadline, while smaller firms were given an additional 12 months. 

The pool, which is backed by the Federal Government, will cover claims for cyclone and related flood damage arising from the start of an event until 48 hours after the cyclone ends.