The majority of the claims are related to damage to homes, along with almost 1700 commercial claims.

“Things like essential services have been very challenging,” Ellwood said.

This is in addition to $180 state-distributed emergency hardship payments.

“[There are] some cases where the creek has risen and come into people’s property,” Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.

“There’s other cases where the rain has come through the roof.”

Federal officials are waiting on damage reports before including more areas.

In Southport on the Gold Coast, wind gusts were strong enough to break the windows at a Korean barbecue restaurant this week.

“It was so scary, but no one was hurt. We were lucky,” restaurant owner Sidney Kin said.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said 18,000 in the city remained without power this morning.

“Energex remains committed to 100 per cent energy back on target by Sunday,” Tate said.

Beaches at Greenmount, Coolangatta and Burleigh opened today.

Several other beaches will undergo restoration works ahead of the Easter holidays.