Cyclone Jasper hits northeast Australia; Thousands brace for impact

Tropical Cyclone Jasper, classified as a Category Two storm, made landfall in northeast Australia on Wednesday, bringing destructive winds and heavy rainfall. The cyclone struck the coastal areas with winds reaching up to 113 kilometers per hour, leaving the seaside town of Palm Cove battered by rough surf, strong winds, and intense rain.

The storm has left thousands in coastal communities without power, prompting warnings of potentially "life-threatening" floods. Government meteorologists reported that Cyclone Jasper slowly made landfall near the largely Aboriginal settlement of Wujal Wujal, causing "destructive wind gusts."

Popular tourist cities Cairns and Port Douglas, both serving as gateways to the Great Barrier Reef, were also in the storm's path. Deputy Premier Steven Miles cautioned about the possibility of "dangerous and life-threatening" floods persisting for "days to come."

Approximately 15,000 homes lost electricity as the storm approached, leading authorities to advise residents to secure loose items and implement flood precautions.The Bureau of Meteorology had evacuated four government weather forecasters from a remote offshore monitoring station as Tropical Cyclone Jasper intensified.

The forecasters, evacuated by an Australian naval destroyer, were dropped off in Sydney after being stationed on Willis Island, situated about 450 kilometers east of the Australian mainland. Flood watches are in effect for rivers across the region, and preemptive power cuts have been implemented in areas expected to experience damage.