Queenslanders have lodged insurance claims worth more than a quarter of a billion dollars after a week of fierce storms battered the state.
More than 28,000 people have so far lodged claims - a figure that's set to rise - insurers say.
It's been a rough week for Queenslanders as strong wind and rain lashed the state leaving a trail of devastation including two deaths, flash flooding and school closures.
On Monday, 70 students from Ashwell State School, west of Brisbane, were evacuated after fears a nearby dam could burst.
The evacuation comes after the death of a four-year-old girl near the central Queensland town of Blackwater who died after a water-filled dam barrier ruptured on Sunday.
Insurer Suncorp alone has recorded 13,000 claims worth $150 million.
After a swathe of ferocious storms in 2007, a Suncorp spokesman told AAP, the company had increased its own cover so it was prepared for claims from future storms.
"Suncorp puts aside a certain amount of money each year for weather-related events and we put aside $240 million for this financial year," the spokesperson said.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, while inspecting damage at Blackwater after it was savaged by a ferocious storm, last Friday urged insurance companies to show compassion to storm victims.
"I've been sending a clear message to insurance companies," Ms Bligh said.
"Now is the time for compassion ... I expect them to have a generous and human response to this."
The federal government has also pitched in $3.2 million in disaster relief after processing more than 4,000 payments to individuals over the past week.
"This money has made a real difference to those people whose homes have been significantly damaged or who have been seriously injured as a result of this disaster," said Human Services Minister Joe Ludwig.
Centrelink staff will remain at community recovery centres this week to help affected residents.
"I commend staff across the country who have worked tirelessly to process claims for assistance as quickly as possible," Senator Ludwig said.
He also thanked Australian Defence Force personnel who remain on standby should more storms hit the region.
