The approach of TC Jasper posed significant threats to the Mareeba Shire, with its slow-moving nature bringing heavy rains and severe flooding to the region. Despite weakening from a Category 5 to a Category 2 cyclone before making landfall, its winds and rain left mass power outages and infrastructure damage in its wake. The Mareeba Disaster Coordination Centre was activated on December 13, and the council faced the daunting task of managing emergency responses, safeguarding residents, and maintaining critical services.
TC Jasper, the wettest cyclone on record in Australia, caused severe flooding as it slowly dragged rains of up over 2 meters in some areas across the peninsula, downing powerlines and trees, cutting off critical access roads, and inundating houses and properties with floodwaters. Mareeba Shire Council received over 900 calls and 185 requests for emergency assistance during the aftermath of the tropical cyclone, with many harrowing stories of the event recorded by residents.
Road damage at Mareeba – Emerald End Road / Cobra Creek. Image courtesy of Mareeba Shire Council
The Solution:
Throughout the severe weather, EWN provided continuous support to Mareeba Shire Council, delivering 20 separate event alerts to residents over the week. These alerts played a crucial role in informing the
community about evacuation notices and shelter information, and provided real-time updates on the cyclone’s progression. EWN’s collaboration with the Council ensured that residents received timely and accurate information, reducing panic and enhancing preparedness.
The Council’s upgraded Emergency Dashboard and proactive “Get Ready” campaign, which ran through
October facilitated effective communication and engagement with the community. Council’s own 24-
hour call centre and incident control, along with the disaster coordination centre, were essential in managing the crisis. Council employees worked tirelessly to restore services, including water, waste, and roads, along with coordinating multiple helicopter drops of fuel, food, and essential goods to stranded communities cut off due to dangerous conditions and road washaways.
Extensive flooding at Mount Molloy was caused by Cyclone Jasper. Image courtesy of Mareeba Shire Council
The Outcome:
By receiving EWN’s location alerts, residents benefited from enhanced safety through timely warnings and accurate weather updates, which significantly increased preparedness and reduced misinformation. The
alerts helped residents make informed decisions, ensuring their safety during the cyclone. For council employees, the collaboration with EWN improved the coordination of emergency services and resource management. The accurate and timely information provided by EWN allowed the council to prioritise and
manage critical infrastructure effectively, ensuring the safety of their employees and the community.
Peter Franks, Mareeba Shire Council’s Local Disaster Coordinator, said, “The alerts from EWN were crucial in
keeping our residents informed and safe during Cyclone Jasper. The collaboration ensured we were well prepared and responsive.”
Mayor Angela Toppin added, “Knowing our residents are receiving timely and accurate severe weather updates from EWN is reassuring because we know they are receiving the same information from a single source. “We look forward to continuing our partnership and encourage more residents to sign up for these critical alerts.
The collaboration between EWN and Mareeba Shire Council during Severe Tropical Cyclone Jasper highlights the value of such partnerships in managing severe weather events. EWN’s partnership with Mareeba Shire Council remains strong, and we look forward to continuing our work together to enhance community resilience
and preparedness for the future.
Tropical Cyclone Jasper crossing the north Queensland coastline at 6.20pm EST, December 13, 2023. Image via Metcentre by Weatherwatch
Why EWN is Essential for Local Government Emergency Management
Proactive Alerts and Precise Decision-Making
Local councils don't have the luxury of waiting for a storm to pass — they need to act before it arrives. EWN helps customers like Mareeba Shire Council to make informed, proactive decisions with precise location-based alerts for severe weather. Rather than reacting after the event, the council can take action before the impacts are felt. This includes evacuating communities, positioning emergency teams, and mobilising critical infrastructure teams to mitigate damage before it happens. It’s about staying one step ahead, not catching up.
Unified Communication Across Teams and Residents
When it comes to weather emergencies, confusion leads to costly mistakes. With EWN’s alerting system, everyone — from council employees to residents — operates from a single source of truth. Emergency teams, council departments, and local communities receive clear, consistent weather alerts and instructions in real-time. This unified communication prevents misalignment and confusion, especially in high-pressure moments when clear communication is essential.
Hyper-Local, Real-Time Weather Intelligence
Weather forecasts for a whole region aren't enough when council operations span vast, diverse areas. With EWN’s hyper-local, real-time weather data, Mareeba Shire Council can track weather conditions at specific locations — not just for "the region" but down to specific towns, communities, and critical infrastructure sites. The result? Tailored, location-specific decision-making that reduces false alarms, limits unnecessary evacuations, and protects the community with precision.
