Residents between Cape Melville, on the eastern coast of Cape York Peninsula, and Townsville have been placed on notice that destructive winds and potential flooding are headed their way.
They've been warned that trees and powerline are likely to be felled and roofs blown from houses along with anything else not tied down.
Should Jasper remain on its current trajectory, power, phones and internet services are expected to be lost and water supplies interrupted, Queensland Fire and Emergency said on Sunday.
Storm surges would also mean flooding in some places and communities isolated.
🌀Latest track map for Tropical Cyclone Jasper: located around 900 km east of Cairns at category 2. On track to approach the coast between Cape Melville and Cardwell on Wednesday, possibly strengthening into category 3. Details and updates: — Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) https://t.co/FBmpsInT9o #CycloneJasper pic.twitter.com/3yqROWAewPDecember 10, 2023
Before announcing her shock retirement from politics on Sunday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she had been briefed on the category 2 cyclone.
"I can say that all preparations are well and truly in place," she told reporters in Brisbane.
"It is expected to make land on Wednesday and can I just remind Queenslanders and especially North Queensland to take care."
Specialist began preparing swift water rescue craft ready to be shipped north, at a facility in Brisbane on Friday.
At 10am on Sunday, Jasper was some 450km east of Willis Island, 900km east of Cairns and tracking southwest at 13km/h.
The Bureau of Meteorology says the system may re-intensify to category 3 before crossing the coast somewhere between Cape Melville and Cardwell.
Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy: households north of Mackay need to prepare emergency kits. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)
Both Cairns and Cooktown lie within what BoM is referring to as the area of highest risk.
A rescue helicopter safely evacuated four bureau scientists from a remote weather station on Willis Is on Saturday.
"Wherever Jasper crosses it will be a significant event likely to bring damaging to destructive winds, heavy persistent rain that will lead to flooding, a storm surge along the coast and very dangerous conditions out over the water," senior meteorologist Angus Hines said.
Queensland Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy warned households north of Mackay to prepare their emergency kits.
The state disaster centre has moved to alert level, with local and district co-ordinators from Mackay to Cairns making preparations.
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