What we learned: Tuesday, 26 December
With that, we will wrap the blog for the evening. Stay safe out there; we’ll be back first thing tomorrow with all the latest. Here were today’s major stories:
A man has died after a tree branch fell on him in Victoria this morning, at a private property in Caringal just after 9am today.
A major flood warning is in place for Logan in Queensland, while major flooding is occurring at Beaudesert.
Severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued for Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle and the Hunter.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Melbourne, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning of damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall.
Melbourne airport has said travellers can expect delays for the rest of today as a result of the severe thunderstorm moving across the city.
The QLD deputy premier, Cameron Dick, said last night’s storm “can only be described as a mini cyclone,” while asking for patience as power is restored.
The deaths of two people at Central Coast beaches on Christmas Day are being treated as medical episodes rather than drownings, police say.
The number of customers in south-east Queensland without power surpassed 120,000, according to energy provider Energex.
Updated
Far north Queensland’s Douglas Shire ‘open for business’ after flooding, mayor says
A far north Queensland mayor has said the region of Douglas Shire is open and ready for visitors after ex-tropical cyclone Jasper, AAP reports.
The shire, which is north of Cairns, encompasses Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge and the Daintree.
Clean-up work in the region is continuing after major flooding in the wake of ex-tropical cyclone Jasper.
“There’s a lot of work yet to be done but we’re open for business and welcoming visitors,” mayor, Michael Kerr, said.
Tourism operators are urging holidaymakers not to cancel plans to visit the region.
“Our restaurants, cafes, tour operators and accommodation are all systems go so we encourage anyone planning to pay us a visit to please drop in and stay for a while,” Tourism Port Douglas Daintree chief executive, Glen Hingley, said.
“I promise you won’t want to leave.”
Crews around Port Douglas and Mossman have reconnected more than 200km of water pipelines.
But on Tuesday the council warned residents to avoid unnecessary water consumption, including taking long showers and washing clothes.
Water levels in some reservoirs had dropped “dramatically”, and heavy rain and landslides on Monday night had caused issues in the treatment process.
“It is imperative that residents and businesses that are on mains supply reduce their water consumption immediately,” Kerr said.
“If the demand for water does not decrease, council will be compelled to implement rolling limitations and/or stopping of supply across the shire.”
He asked people to avoid taking long showers, using the washing machine, filling pools and using the hose for cleaning or watering lawns.
More than 4,200 property damage assessments have been completed since Jasper delivered heavy rain and damaging winds.
Twelve homes have been confirmed destroyed, 126 properties are severely damaged and 554 moderately so.
Close to 9,000 residents have received financial assistance payments.
Updated
