Some residents in Cyclone Jasper's path have reportedly had their homes and businesses looted – as the extreme weather system sees more than 35,000 homes without power.
Residents sought shelter as the Category 2 storm hit and winds of about 100 kilometers per hour uprooted trees and downed power lines after making landfall in Far North Queensland on Wednesday evening.
A dozen people and a dog had to be rescued overnight in the Douglas Shire town of Mossman due to dangerous flooding, while large parts of Cairns were ordered to evacuate.
The cyclone has since been downgraded to a tropical low.
Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles branded those allegedly stealing vulnerable people's property as “disturbing”.
Cyclone Jasper continues to wreak havoc in Far North Queensland
“This is certainly not the time to take advantage of those who are vulnerable and suffering the consequences of the cyclone,” he said.
“I know our police are in the field to keep our communities safe, but we shouldn't make their job harder and force them to deal with these types of crimes when all they really want to do is help get people into their homes. .'
Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll warned looters that CCTV footage has been captured 'often'.
“You should be expected to be handled,” she said.
The cyclone brought over half a meter of rain to Far North Queensland in just 24 hours.
Yandill, in Queensland's Daintree region, was drenched with 624mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on Thursday.
Yandill's rainfall is the second highest daily amount ever recorded in Australia.
The cyclone knocked down trees and power lines as it entered Queensland as a Category 2 storm (pictured in Cairns)
Ergon Energy also revealed that more than 35,500 customers had lost power by 8.30pm on Wednesday, with as many as 40,000 homes expected to have lost electricity in total.
“Our crews will begin assessing and repairing damage when it is safe for them to do so, but that will not occur until hazardous conditions have abated,” the report said.
“We are also hearing from some customers who lost power early in the storm, or who live in an area where they may not have experienced the worst of the wind and debris.
'Power outages can occur if there is damage to part of the network that supplies a neighborhood with power, sometimes at a great distance. Damage may not be visible in your immediate area, but the main supply system that supplies you with water may have been affected.
“Our large restoration team will get the lights back on as soon as possible.”
About 21,200 lost power in Cairns, 6,400 in Port Douglas, 2,300 in Mareeba, 4,700 in the Tablelands, 530 in Yarrabah and 400 on the Cassowary Coast.
Ergon Energy urged residents to stay away from fallen power lines.
Mr Miles also announced that those in Douglas and Wujal Wujal can receive support payments of up to $180 for individuals and $900 for families of five or more.
Heavy rain and flash flooding are expected to continue around Far North Queensland from Thursday to Friday.
Heavy rain and flash flooding are expected to continue around Far North Queensland from Thursday to Friday (pictured in Cairns)
Emergency alerts were sent to Kuranda, Myola, Koah and Speewah in the Mareeba Shire Council area.
“Hazardous flooding is now occurring in low lying areas near the Barron River, Clohesy River, Groves Creek and associated tributaries,” the alert said.
'The municipality advises residents to move to higher areas and avoid flooding.
“Conditions are changing rapidly and are very dangerous.”
Cairns residents have also been encouraged to conserve drinking water as authorities continue to clean up water intake infrastructure.
“Assessments are being conducted of the intake at Crystal Cascades, which supplies the Tunnel Hill water treatment plant, to assess the blockage,” the council release said.
“To conserve existing water supplies in reservoirs, residents and businesses are urged to use water only for essential purposes. The water from the reservoirs is drinkable and does not need to be boiled.'