Looters have been targeted by police as the flood clean-up begins in far north Queensland.

Extra officers have been deployed for “high visibility patrols” across the Cairns region and Cape York to protect locals with massive recovery effort under way.

There had been three reports of looting including two at Wujal Wujal, north of Cairns, police said.

The Aboriginal community was one of the worst hit after Tropical Cyclone Jasper caused record rainfall and flooding.

“I am disappointed and disgusted by reports that offenders have taken advantage of communities battling one of the worst disasters the region has experienced,” Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Brett Schafferius said.

More than 200 people have been evacuated by the Australian Defence Force to Cooktown after Wujal Wujal was devastated by floodwaters.

Police said a Wujal Wujal aged care facility was broken into after residents were evacuated.

The local general store also had a safe and cash register stolen after it was left open to let the community access food and supplies.

“Sadly, we do see this after some [natural disaster] events,” Commissioner Katarina Carroll said.

“Thankfully, only a few cases but we will continue those patrols to make sure those areas are safe as we continue into Christmas as well as the New Year.

Patrols will also monitor the Cairns region where the recovery has begun, with people starting to pile ruined furniture and belongings outside their homes for removal.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Queensland Premier Steven Miles will see the progress when they visit flood-hit areas on Friday.

“This has been a major national event. It’s not going to be fixed overnight,” federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said.

Watt flew up to Wujal Wujal on Thursday to assess support required, with 50 people still to be evacuated.

Emergency services have been able to visit all 35 isolated communities, with no serious injuries reported.

But there are grave concerns for an 85-year-old man who has been missing since Sunday at Degarra, near Wujal Wujal.

More than a week after arriving as a cyclone, Jasper is still affecting the far north with Kowanyama in the remote Cape York now on high alert.

Major flooding is forecast to hit the community from Saturday. Vulnerable residents have been evacuated to Cairns as a precaution.

Ex-cyclone Jasper is in the Gulf of Carpentaria, causing showers and thunderstorms across the Cape’s north.

-AAP