Captain Cook Highway likely to be closed for weeks

A vital highway which serves Far North Queensland is likely to remain cut off for weeks. The Captain Cook Highway is predicted to remain closed off until late January in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper and the consequent flooding. Dozens of communities remain cut off after the record breaking floods. Authorities say they have been able to access 16 of 35 isolated areas so far. More than 100 residents from the town of Wujal Wujal have been evacuated to Cook Town after being left stranded for days. As weather conditions ease, home owners between Cairns and Ingham have commenced clean up efforts to begin salvaging what is left of their properties. River levels are still high near the Cape York Peninsula, particularly in the Mitchell River Catchment – prompting the evacuation of nearby residents. It comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prepares to visit the region.