The Insurance Council of Australia has declared a significant Insurance Catastrophe for southeast Queensland after two days of violent storms battered the region with cyclone-like winds and destructive hail.
A Trail of Destruction Across the Region
The severe weather events on Sunday and Monday caused widespread damage, with the community on Bribie Island in Moreton Bay experiencing some of the most devastating impacts. The storms flipped cars, tore roofs completely from houses, and uprooted large trees that crashed onto homes and businesses.
The ICA, which is calling this event CAT 255, has already received more than 16,000 claims from affected residents across more than 140 postcodes. This catastrophe declaration means insurers will now prioritise and fast-track assistance for those with the most severe damage.
Mounting Claims and Widespread Power Outages
Energex reported a massive disruption to the power grid, with over 75,000 homes still without electricity on Tuesday. This was an improvement from the more than 120,000 outages recorded on Monday night. Moreton Bay remained the hardest-hit area, with over 43,000 properties still in the dark.
RACQ Insurance provided a snapshot of the damage, confirming it had received more than 3600 claims by Tuesday. These included 2006 claims for motor vehicles and 1597 for homes. Chief Executive Trent Sayers identified Logan, Moreton Bay, and Brisbane's eastern suburbs as the areas that bore the brunt of the storm's fury.
Urgent Warnings and Recovery Efforts
ICA deputy CEO Kylie Macfarlane strongly urged residents to lodge their insurance claims as soon as possible, even if the full extent of the damage is not yet known. "Lodging a claim via insurers’ online portals is generally a quicker and easier way to get the claims process started," she advised.
RACQ has committed to fast-tracking vehicle repairs and prioritising vulnerable members for home repairs. However, both organisations warned that claim numbers are expected to rise significantly in the coming days as power is restored and residents can fully assess their properties.
With more storms and heavy rain forecast for the week, authorities are pleading with residents to remain vigilant. Key safety hazards include:
- Fallen powerlines
- Water-affected electrical appliances
- Dangerous debris scattered across properties and roads
"We strongly encourage all those impacted by these severe storms to ensure they do not undertake any activity themselves that may put their safety at risk," Macfarlane stressed, highlighting the dangers of a DIY cleanup after such a destructive event.
