Far North police are continuing to provide support to Cape York residents impacted by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle.
Over the weekend, police visited remote properties and communities to deliver essential supplies and ensure residents were safe.
Fortunately, there have been no flood-related injuries or deaths, and no major structural damage as a result of the weather event.
On 21 March, police received reports two people were isolated due to flooding at a station in Wenlock, near Weipa, around 11pm.
Around 9.45am 22 March, a private helicopter was tasked by the Cooktown Local Disaster Management Group and spotted two people and two dogs on the roof of the property.
Around 1pm , the Rescue 700 helicopter winched a 64-year-old man, a 67-year-old woman and the two dogs, they were transported to safety.
No one was physically injured.
Police are reminding residents that with local flooding persisting in some areas, avoid unnecessary travel and never drive through floodwaters.
Even in shallow floodwater, your steering, engine, and electrics can stop working, making it extremely difficult to escape. If it’s flooded, forget it.
State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers are also continuing recovery efforts in the state’s far northern region, after Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle made landfall during the morning of Friday, 20 March.
The SES received 20 requests for assistance in Weipa and Cook shire between 6pm Friday, 20 March, and 6am today, 23 March.
The majority of these jobs were for trees down.
SES Far Northern Regional Commander, Wayne Coutts, said the community’s preparedness helped to keep recovery efforts to a minimum.
“I want to thank the community for listening to authorities and taking steps to prepare themselves and their properties,” Commander Coutts said.
“Category 4 systems have the potential to cause major structural damage, severe physical injury and even death.
“We are grateful to members of the community for heeding warnings, which helped minimise the impacts of the system.”
Volunteers from the Far Northern Command remain deployed in Coen, Cooktown, Weipa and Pormpuraaw, working to clear debris and support the community in recovery.
For information about recovery in your area, visit your local council’s disaster dashboard.
Find your local dashboard here: https://www.qra.qld.gov.au/recovery-hub/disaster-dashboards-queensland
For storm and flood related property damage contact the State Emergency Service on 132 500.
More information about preparing for and responding to severe weather can also be found at:
• Bureau of Meteorology bom.gov.au
• Traffic and travel information 13 19 40 or 131940.qld.gov.au
• RACQ road conditions 1300 130 595 or roadconditions.racq.com.au
• Local radio stations
• Queensland Police Service Facebook page
For life threatening emergencies call Triple Zero 000.
0.39 – 1.28 – Police and Cook Shire Council conduct welfare checks and survey damage near Coen.
1.28 – 1.38 – Flooding at Weipa.
1.38 – 2.35 – Wolverton Station.
2.35 – 2.43 – Watson Lagoon.
2.43 – 2.48 – QPS and QFD officers at Wujal Wujal.
2.48 – 2.52 – SES members deployed to Weipa.
2.52 – 2.56 – SES members assisting with clean up in Kuranda.
2.57 – 3.04 – SES members assisting with clean up in Cooktown.
3.04 – end – SES members assisting with clean up in Coen.
