LIVE COVERAGE: STAY SAFE, DOUGLAS SHIRE: Jasper due for crossing later this afternoon

3.27PM: Rain and wind hammering Douglas Shire

Douglas Shire residents continue to bunker down with Cyclone Jasper now just hours away from making landfall - most likely between Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation + Wujul Wujul. Heavy winds and rain are now thumping the Shire, just moments ago a large tree inside Dougies' backpackers accomodation, fell through a fence and onto the road.

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2.59PM: Douglas Shire cyclone Jasper SES activations

Darren from the SES just moments ago confirmed with Newsport they have attended a number of jobs in the Douglas Shire over the past few hours including, the dismantling of major trees covering roads, loose roofs and flood assistance to a resident in Port Douglas.

However, as winds and rains have now picked up SES workers in the Douglas Shire have now stood down until it's safe to attend future jobs.

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2.41PM: Jasper very latest - Thanks to Douglas Shire Sergeant Damian Meadows for assisting with the following information:

- 15,000 people without power across the Far North including the Douglas Shire.

- Jasper expected to make landfall at 8PM tonight, revised from 6PM.

- Rocks currently blocking Captain Cook Highway.

- Daintree Villiage to soon be in isolation.

- Numerous amounts of large trees down right across Douglas Shire.

- Extreme winds now hammering Douglas Shire.

- Jasper to cross as Cat 2 cyclone.

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2.32PM: Captain Cook Highway closure

Local Police have confirmed the Captain Cook Highway between Port Douglas and Cairns is closed due to large amounts of fallen trees and debris.

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2.30PM: Ergon confirms 15,000 residents without power because of Cyclone Jasper

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1.50PM: Take immediate shelter

Local emergency personnel have advised Douglas Shire residents to seek immediate shelter as Jasper nears landfall.

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1.47PM: Douglas Shire power outages

Newsport understands 2052 Douglas Shire Ergon Energy customers are now without power.

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1.13PM: Douglas Shire road closures 

Closures

Rocky Point, Mossman Daintree Road - hazard, avoid the area; Mossman Mt Molloy Road, hazard, use alternate route; 

Hazards

Forest Creed Rd, CREB track, Noah's bridge, Cape Tribulation, Douglas Creek Road and Stewart Creek road - please avoid these areas.

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1.09PM: Oak Beach tree removal

A fallen tree that was blocking the south lane of the Captain Cook Highway a short time ago at Oak Beach has now been removed, thanks to the work of locals.

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1.06PM: Douglas Shire power outages

As it stands 1210 residents are without power in the Douglas Shire due to high winds caused by Cyclone Jasper. Douglas Shire residents in Finlaeyvale, Mossman Gorge, Port Douglas, Mossman, Nth Mossman, Shannonvale and South Mossman are all currently effected.

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7.19AM: Conditions

The wind is continuing to pick up in Port Douglas, with heavy bouts of rain inbetween.

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7.15AM: Newsport beach cams

A quick note on our Port Douglas and Palm Cove beach cameras. We have been experiencing an extremely high number of users over the past 24-36 hours and at times this slows down the buffering or accessibility of the cameras. We do apologise for any delays in use around this.

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7.09AM: No power outages yet: Ergon Energy

An Ergon Energy spokesperson told Newsport just moments ago that so far, there have been  zero power outages confirmed as a result of Cyclone Jasper. However, that is expected to change as the full force of Jasper is felt later today.

Cyclones and associated flooding can have a major impact on the electricity network, whether the powerlines are overhead or underground, so we are reminding everyone to be prepared for power outages

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6.46AM: Douglas Shire conditions

At this very moment it continues to be very, very windy across Port Douglas. Winds have definitely picked up and there is definitely a more ominous feeling that Jasper is slowly but surely starting to make its presence felt.

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6.44AM: Latest BOM advice

BOM has confirmed Tropical Cyclone Jasper remains at a category 1 intensity with sustained winds near the centre of 85 kilometres per hour and wind gusts up to 120 kilometres per hour.

BOM has confirmed Jasper is 180 kilometres northeast of Cairns and 180 kilometres east of Cooktown, moving at seven kilometres per hour.

At this stage Jasper is tracking to make landfall this afternoon or later this evening between Port Douglas and Wujal Wujal, but as always, its trajectory changes minute to minute.

Locally intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life threatening flash flooding is forecast to develop from this afternoon along the coast and adjacent ranges between Cape Flattery and Port Douglas as well as areas near the centre of Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

Gales with damaging wind gusts of up to 120 km/h are expected to develop along the coast and adjacent ranges between Cooktown and Innisfail, including Cairns later this morning.

As the cyclone approaches the coast, a storm tide is expected between Cooktown and Lucinda on the high tides today.

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6.43AM: Hello, Good morning, I’m Newsport editor Michael Warren, welcome to a very windy Port Douglas. Thanks for joining Newsport’s cyclone Jasper coverage for today, Wednesday, December, 13.