The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has extended the NSW flooding catastrophe declaration to southeast Queensland, while estimating the total value of claims received across both states at $254.2 million.

Policyholders in NSW and Queensland had lodged more than 17,000 claims as of 9.30am. The losses estimate is based on the average cost of claims from previous similar events.

RACQ warned today that despite easing rain in southeast Queensland almost 300 roads remain flood affected. Video footage yesterday showed a hatchback being swept off a road shortly after a driver escaped.

“It takes just 30 centimetres of water over the road to float a car and the rainfall we have seen over the past few days can easily toss vehicles like toys,” spokeswoman Clare Hunter said.

IAG says the NRMA Insurance helicopter, typically used during bushfire season, is now assisting NSW emergency services efforts and was yesterday evacuating people from flooded areas near Richmond.

“We have a dedicated Major Event team focused on providing immediate support for our customers, such as temporary accommodation, and we have all hands on deck to make the process as quick and easy as possible,” IAG EGM Direct Claims Luke Gallagher said.

The Bureau of Meteorology says the Hawkesbury River at North Richmond peaked at 13.09 metres on Wednesday morning and major flooding is likely to continue in the area, including at Windsor and Wisemans Ferry, in coming days.

The persistent high water on the Hawkesbury reflects both the volume of recent rain and complexities related to the river system and its terrain, bureau hydrologist Victoria Dodds said today.

“Whereas in most river systems you typically see the river valley widen and the flows discharge into the ocean we have actually got a number of gorges on the Hawkesbury River and this acts as a bit a constriction,” Ms Dodds said. “It actually allows the water to back up and it doesn’t discharge as quickly as you would otherwise expect.”

The Warragamba Dam is likely to continue spilling water for the next few days, after flows started on Saturday afternoon, but the bureau forecasts mostly dry weather for the region.

The NSW Government today announced it has waived the waste levy fee for residents in disaster declared areas disposing of flood-generated waste, in a move welcomed by ICA.