Criminals have taken advantage of evacuation orders in areas of Far North Queensland rocked by the death of two people, leaving police “disgusted”.

Almost 1.5 metres of rain fell on the town of Cardwell in the first five days of February, causing flooding to 70 homes.

As relentless rainfall caused floods across the north, residents were forced to either evacuate their homes or take necessary precautions if they chose to remain.  Townsville Superintendent Chris Lawson said high-visibility anti-looting patrols are being conducted across North Queensland, including Townsville and surrounding areas.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to visit Far North Queensland today with plans to visit the flood-affected communities. Two people have died, and hundreds of properties, businesses and farmland have been hit with a deluge of rain in a catastrophic wet weather event.

The search for a man, believed to have been swept away in waters during Queensland’s far north flood emergency, has been suspended. A desperate search and rescue operation had initially been launched after witnesses saw a man being swept away in floodwaters near Coopers St in Ingham on Tuesday.

Premiums are higher in the tropical north, and those who can afford cover have started lodging claims for flood damage.