Normal begins to restore as local businesses open after Jasper

The aftermath of cyclone Jasper has left residents and businesses picking up the pieces with signs of recovery becoming apparent as businesses such as  Paddy’s Irish Pub and KHub opened their doors again today.

Liam Hudson, Manager at Paddy’s Irish Bar in Port Douglas, reflected on the cyclone experience with a mix of relief and gratitude. 

“It turned out to be a bit more thrilling than I had anticipated,” he said. “It certainly wasn't a letdown. We managed to weather it quite well. Personally, we didn’t lose power but many others were affected in various ways. In terms of my personal experience and the gatherings we had, we fared pretty well.”

News of the fallen tree right in front of Paddy’s reached Mr Hudson before the cyclone took a severe turn for the worse. “It's really unfortunate that the tree in front of us came down,” he said. “It was such a beautiful, large tree, it’s just a real shame to see it gone.”

However, overall Mr Hudson expressed gratitude for the fortunate turn of events. "We were fortunate. Luckily, our power held up and the water receded, allowing us to resume operations fairly quickly. It’s good to have a sense of normalcy again, even within that short 24-hour span. It's interesting how that brief period can align people.

“Many are still without power, so it's crucial to provide a place where they can have a meal, enjoy some air conditioning, and not be left in the dark.”

Belinda Burke, Manager at KHub Port Douglas, eagerly anticipates a return to normalcy. Residing near Four Mile Beach, her front yard is currently cluttered with debris.