Emergency Services attempted to evacuate 300 residents from the inundated Aboriginal community of Wujal Wujal in remote Far North Queensland, as the fallout from Cyclone Jasper continues.
Flooding, caused by the ex-tropical event, burst the banks of Bloomfield River causing the township to be inundated with water.
Authorities had attempted to rescue those stranded on Tuesday, however, the weather was too severe.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Queensland Premier Steven Miles confirmed the second evacuation attempt was successful with ADF helicopters and emergency personnel currently on ground at Wujal Wujal.
"I want to say to those residents who’ve been waiting that I know you’re tired and wet and uncomfortable but help is on its way just as soon as we could have done it,” he said.
The almost 300 residents will be moved 90 kilometres north to Cooktown where support is waiting.
"To Wujal Wujal residents I want to say to you that we have supports in place for when you get to Cooktown: health care, food, showers at the PCYC, so please if your circumstances in Wujal Wujal are in any way uncomfortable or unsafe please take up that opportunity to evacuate," said the Premier.
A supplied screen grab shows an aerial view of flooding across Cairns Northern Beaches in Cairns, Tuesday, December 19. Credit: Queensland Police Service
On Monday, sixteen people, including a seven-year-old boy, were stranded on the roof of the health clinic before managing to find higher ground.
Mr Miles confirmed one home in the town had been destroyed, with dozens more damaged.
We know that one home has been totally destroyed, 15 have been severely damaged and 50 moderately damaged,
"The remaining 92 have been assessed as having minor damage," he said.
Wujal Wujal Council CEO Kiley Hanslow told Cape York Weekly on Monday the roads were being washed out, stopping evacuations.
"Roads are washed out in places," they said.
"Crocodiles [are] up on community streets now."
First evacuation attempt fails
An aerial view of floodwater at Lake Placid in Cairns. Source: AAP / Nuno Avendano/AAP Image
It follows the unsuccessful evacuation attempt on Monday.
He confirmed that "small aerial resources" were dispatched this morning in preparation for a "larger evacuation later in the day".
Cairns airport reopened on Tuesday morning, enabling additional aerial assets to be sent to isolated communities including Wujal Wujal and Yarrabah.
Two Australian Defence Force Chinooks and AW130 helicopters are expected to land shortly with emergency services personnel to assist the operation.
"We know we've got between 250 and 300 people to evacuate out of that town today," Mr Chelepy said.
"I'm very pleased with the preparation that has occurred, but it's not over."
Destination for evacuees also without supplies
While the Premier said support was available at Cooktown, Shire Mayor Peter Scott raised concerns about the supply.
"We are ourselves low on food and supplies," he told AAP.
"We've also got water restrictions at the moment because our water treatment plant was flooded.
"We're running around trying to get food, blankets, that sort of stuff."
Volunteers process donations brought in by residents to assist flood victims at the Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron evacuation centre. Source: AAP / Nuno Avendano/AAP Image
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Sarah Scully told the ABC "Most rivers are now moderate or below moderate flood levels, we still have the Murray at major, but most of them are moderate, or even minor, which is great news."
She said that the "good thing about the tropics" is that they can "recover quickly from flooding".
The Prime Minister is expected to visit Brisbane today, with the potential to visit flood affected areas if weather permits.
