Terrifying aftermath of Cyclone Jasper: Video emerges of desperate Aussies being rescued from their homes as floodwaters strike
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Dramatic images have emerged of police and emergency services rescuing local residents stranded in floodwaters after ex-tropical cyclone Jasper destroyed properties in far north Queensland.
Police and members of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services evacuated 12 residents of Mossman, about 80km north of Cairns, early on Friday morning.
The Mossman River flooded after nearly 430mm of rain fell on the city as the aftereffects of the cyclone ravaged the area on Thursday.
The emergency services were warned around 1 a.m. this morning that the river was overflowing its banks.
Video taken by police officers showed residents being evacuated from a two-storey house on a Mossman street.
Eight people, including five children and a dog, took shelter on the top floor of the house when first responders arrived on the scene to rescue them.
The footage showed a shirtless man wearing blue shorts and carrying the dog in his arms as officers in hi-vis raincoats helped him out of the building.
“Are you right, buddy?” an officer could be heard asking.
A man was seen carrying his dog (pictured) out of the house as officers began evacuating residents early Friday morning
As their torches flickered, first responders helped the remaining members clamber out of the house.
One child was carried by a fire and emergency responder before the others emerged from the home with their belongings.
“Hold your blanket up so it doesn't get wet,” one resident was heard saying.
They were slowly led away to emergency vehicles parked nearby as they walked through heavily flooded streets holding onto officers' arms for support.
Residents were seen walking through knee-high water as officers checked other homes in the area.
Queensland Police said in a statement that more people in the area were also rescued, many taking refuge in their properties.
“An additional four people were evacuated to the Mossman Library,” police said.
“Another six people have self-evacuated and about forty people have been given shelter.”
Officers were seen helping several residents of the Mossman home after Cyclone Jasper caused major flooding in the city
“No one was physically injured and no persons were reported missing.”
Eighteen people were evacuated from their homes in Mossman on Thursday.
Police said they will be conducting more rescue operations in the city and in communities across far north Queensland.
Residents have been advised to seek shelter and stay off the roads as the Bureau of Meteorology said high winds and heavy rain will continue.
Roads were severely damaged by the devastating weather system, which downed power lines and trees.
About 40,000 people in north Queensland were without power after the cyclone made landfall around 3pm on Wednesday.
The cyclone has been downgraded to a tropical storm and the system is expected to move into the Gulf of Carpentaria on Friday or Saturday.
The weather system left behind downed trees and power lines as emergency workers began clearing the debris
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast further wet weather and possible flooding
The Mossman River overflowed its banks early Friday morning, causing heavy flooding of the streets