The Wet Season arrived last week, with a number of significant falls, Cape Trib received a number of big falls, with 278mm received in one night. This was small compared with Port Douglas, which received 424mm one night, their highest fall since 1911!! Cape Tribulation had about .7 of a metre of rain last week.
It was good to see my local knowledge works, both Tuesday and Wednesday were the wettest as per my prediction…
The Daintree River reached moderate flood level last week, with Ferry operations halted briefly at high tide; the ramps could not reach the ground! There was severe localized flooding at Cape Trib, with vehicle movements limited on Wednesday, it is worth noting that most roads around Cairns were closed too.
Not a good week for the reef until the winds moderate on Wednesday. While the weather looks bad, it’s worth remembering that March is the wettest month of the year, and there is nothing unusual about the forecasts below.
NORTH TROPICAL COAST AND TABLELANDS DISTRICTScattered showers about the coastal fringe this morning with more isolatedshowers redeveloping tonight. Local early drizzle patches on the Tablelands thena mostly fine day. Fresh and gusty SE winds.Outlook for Tuesday ... Scattered showers about the coastal fringe. Isolatedshowers inland but mostly fine. Fresh SE winds.Outlook for Wednesday ... Scattered showers about the coastal fringe. Isolatedshowers inland but mostly fine. Moderate to fresh SE winds.
North Tropical Waters, Cooktown to Cardwell:Monday until midnight: SE winds 20/25 knots. Seas to 2.2 metres on a 2.0 metre SE swell outside the reef. Seas to 1.6 metres inside the reef. Scattered showers. Tuesday: SE winds 20/25 knots. Seas to 2.2 metres on a 2.0 metre SE swell outside the reef. Seas to 1.6 metres inside the reef. Scattered showers. Wednesday: SE winds 15/20 knots.
The road to Cape Tribulation is open, but after heavy rain, there may be localized flooding. I recommend caution when crossing patches of floodwater, even in 4WDs. It is very easy for an inexperienced driver to misjudge this water and be washed away. Drivers should also be aware of fallen branches and trees on the road after wind. There is a mudslide on Noah Range, with one lane open only.
Last week near Mossman two rented cars were submerged because the drivers attempted to cross ridiculously flooded streams.
The Bloomfield Track is currently closed. I drove as far as Meleelee Creek on Saturday, and was stopped by a huge fallen tree. I have advised the Council of this, but as yet no word on it’s removal. The road is covered in fallen trees and I had to drive over several logs to get that far. The river crossings are washed out and full of large rocks, and in one case a huge tree. I would only recommend heavy duty 4WDs attempt the Bloomfield road at present. Tides are high morning and low afternoon all week, with some high enough to flood the Bloomfield Causeway.
