28,000 Claims Lodged as QLD Storm Victims Warned of ‘Disaster Chasers’ Amid Power Woes

QUEENSLAND : As severe storms continue to disrupt clean-up efforts, the economic and consumer impact of Queensland’s wild weather has reached a critical point, marked by a massive surge in insurance claims and an official warning about post-disaster fraud.

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has confirmed nearly 28,000 claims have been lodged since Monday’s severe weather event, which included destructive winds that tore roofs from homes on Bribie Island and powerful lightning strikes, such as one that hit a power transformer in Greenmount near Toowoomba.

The sheer number of claims has prompted the ICA to issue a strong consumer alert about \”disaster chasers,\” opportunistic individuals who target vulnerable homeowners. The ICA warns that these chasers:

• Demand Upfront Cash for quick-fix or shoddy work.
• Pressure Homeowners to sign contracts on the spot for future repairs.
• Promise Insurers Will Pay, potentially leaving the homeowner liable for inflated bills or work not covered by their policy.
• Residents are advised to always consult their insurer before signing any repair contract.

The return of storms last night, while less severe than Monday’s, continues to complicate the mammoth task of reconnecting the state. Power has been restored to more than 120,000 customers, and authorities are targeting an 8 pm reconnection time for most areas, though heavily damaged regions like Bribie Island will face longer delays.

The reliance on backup power has strained retail supplies, with Bunnings reporting a shortage of generators as the company works urgently to restock to meet the needs of thousands still living in the dark.

To compound the recovery challenge, the region is now forecast to enter a heatwave, with temperatures soaring up to 10 degrees above the November average. Ambulance services are urging citizens to prioritize their health and check on elderly neighbors to prevent heat-related emergencies.