Victoria Stone-Meadows

The Daintree Ferry is operational again today with a successful test and clearing of debris from the lines at 8.00am.

The ferry was nonoperational for about 12 hours overnight as heavy rains caused moderate flooding on the Draintree and Mossman Rivers.

Much of the country is suffering through abnormally high temperatures but in the Far North; Port Douglas is facing abnormally high rainfall.

Related Coverage:
- DAINTREE FERRY CLOSED AS RIVER FLOODING CAUSES CHAOS
- GALLERY | EX-TROPICAL CYCLONE OWEN'S PATH OF DESTRUCTION
- EX-TROPICAL CYCLONE OWEN PACKS SURPRISE PUNCH


December 2018 has been a particularly wet month for Port Douglas, with total rainfall so far much higher than the December average. 

The total December rainfall in Port Douglas is set to smash records with 809mm recorded for the month as of Friday, 28 December.

The only year on record to have a higher December total rainfall was way back in 1907 with December of that year recording 958mm.

The average December rainfall for Port Douglas, taken from rainfall totals since 1884, is 208mm.

The increase in rainfall this month is mostly attributed to the downfalls associated with ex-tropical cyclone Owen, which battered the region earlier this month. 

Overall, 2018 is set to become the sixth wettest year on record for Port Douglas with the annual total rainfall currently sitting at 3005mm.

With only three days left in December, the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting further rain and thunderstorms for the Port Douglas area.

The BOM is predicting showers dumping up to 150mm through the weekend, poising this month to break rainfall records.