Shocking before and after videos of the Barron Falls in Far North Queensland have revealed the devastating impact of record rainfall and widespread floods in the region. The videos, shared on social media, contrasted the falls on December 10 and December 18, showcasing the dramatic increase in water volume caused by ex-tropical Cyclone Jasper.

The cyclone, classified as a category two system, made landfall north of Port Douglas on December 13, triggering major floods across north Queensland. The first video depicted a serene stream trickling down the rocky cliff before the cyclone hit, while the second video showed the waterfall transformed into a torrent of gushing water.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a final flood warning for the Barron River, as well as the Daintree and Mossman Rivers. River levels in the Barron River catchment have been gradually receding following significant flooding over the past few days. River levels at Kamerunga Bridge and Cairns Airport are expected to fall below the minor flood level. The Bureau also noted that no significant rainfall has been recorded since late Sunday and no further substantial rainfall is forecast for the next few days.

Minor flood warnings have also been issued for the Tully, Herbert, and Murray Rivers. Fortunately, major weather warnings for the North Tropical Coast and parts of the Peninsula and Gulf Country were cancelled as the ex-cyclone moved towards the tip of the Cape.

Despite the cancellation of weather warnings, the Bureau faced criticism for underestimating the amount of rain that would hit the region. Cairns was expected to receive between 30 and 130mm of rainfall, but it suffered a staggering 268mm on Sunday alone. In total, up to 12 locations in far north Queensland received record-breaking rainfall, with some areas experiencing a year's worth of rain in a single day. Mossman South recorded 1,935mm of rain in five days, while Black Mountain near Cooktown received 2,189mm.

The severe damage caused by the weather system has significantly delayed clean-up and rescue operations in the region. Evacuations are still ongoing to rescue residents trapped in Wujal Wujal, with one more emergency flight scheduled for Wednesday. Deputy Police Commissioner Shane Chelepy reported that 97 people were evacuated from the small community to Cooktown on Tuesday. Crews have been accessing isolated communities across the cape, aiming to reach all 36 of them.

Emergency services have carried out over 370 swift water rescues since the flooding began, responding to over 1,000 calls for help. One missing individual in Bloomfield and Degarra, believed to be an 85-year-old man, has raised serious concerns. Queensland Police expressed their worry for his welfare and urged anyone with information to come forward.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles stated that it now appears likely that the entire town of Wujal Wujal will need to be evacuated due to the extensive rainfall. The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has promised that the government will provide the necessary assistance to affected residents.

In response to these devastating floods, the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) has been initiated. This one-time payment provides $1,000 for adults and $400 for children who have been affected by the floods.

The Far North Queensland region continues to face the aftermath of the record rainfall, with communities working tirelessly to recover from the impactful floods.