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Tropical Cyclone Jasper forecast to bring heavy rain, flash flooding, intense winds, storm tides to north Queensland

Tropical Cyclone Jasper has been re-upgraded to a category two system as it moves closer to the Queensland coast.

In an update on Tuesday afternoon, senior meteorologist Laura Boekel from the Bureau of Meteorology said Cyclone Jasper was expected to cross the coast tomorrow afternoon. 

"Over the last few hours we have seen Tropical Cyclone Jasper strengthen," she said.

Fifteen thousand people have been told to consider evacuating or moving to higher ground in Cairns, where a storm surge warning has been declared. 

The red zone includes most of the Esplanade and other low-lying and coastal areas, and takes in 9,500 homes. 

Cairns mayor Terry James said people needed to know what zone they were in. 

"The concern is the storm tides that could eventuate with Cyclone Jasper crossing the coast," he said.

An emergency watch and act alert has been issued for Yarrabah as of this afternoon, with destructive winds and heavy rainfall likely to cause flooding in the next 24 hours. 

An emergency alert is also in place for Wujal Wujal as of 7:15pm, with destructive winds forecast within the next 12 hours. 

BOM senior meteorologist Harry Clark said "the worst of the impacts" will be felt from tomorrow. 

Wind gusts of up to 140kph are forecast between Wujal Wujal and Innisfail from Wednesday morning.

Mr Clark said there was a "very slight chance" the cyclone would strengthen into a category three system before crossing the coast.

The current warning now applies from Cape Flattery to Lucinda, including Cairns, Innisfail and Palm Island, while a watch applies from Cape Melville to Cape Flattery, extending inland to include Palmerville.

Locally intense rainfall, which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is likely about the coast and ranges between Cape Flattery and Port Douglas as well as areas near the centre of the cyclone.

Cairns Hospital has postponed elective surgeries scheduled for Tuesday but all critical services at Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service hospitals and clinics will continue. 

Cairns Airport will be shut down and secured, with the final flight to leave for Melbourne just before 8:00pm tonight.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has closed all mainland and island national parks and protected areas between Mackay and Cape Melville, including visitor facilities, camping areas, walking tracks and vehicle access areas.

Meanwhile, Ergon Energy has activated its emergency management plan, with staff on stand-by to respond to any network damage and power outages.

Boaties brace for impact

Cairns Marina was eerily empty on Tuesday as sailors evacuated their boats. 

Cairns Regional harbourmaster David Ferguson said it had been a "stellar" response. 

"The ports from Mourilyan, Cairns, Port Douglas Cooktown, and Cape Flattery — all those operators of all those craft have responded in what can only be called a stellar manner," he said.

"Of course, there's still talk about it being a bit of a fizzer. Let's hope it is. But we must prepare as if it's not."

Andrew Kramer, who has lived in Far North Queensland for almost 40 years, says many boaties are upbeat despite what's on the line.

"[Some] live on their boats, you know, that's their home," he says.

Warnings against panic-buying

Sam Bartel, the manager of Pease Street IGA in Manoora, has asked shoppers to consider the community and only buy what they need.

His store has already run low on stocks of bottled water and long-life milk.

"Don't think that you need to buy two or three weeks' worth of stock," he said.

"Just get enough for a couple of days to see you through, just in case, and as soon as we can reopen, the shop will be open."

Port Douglas resident Jacob Van Den Brink was supposed to be flying out to work today in a central Queensland coal mine but has stayed to protect his property.

He doesn't know what to expect but said he was preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.

"The water comes up through our drains so we have to try and block the toilets as well."