The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) says at least 14 recovery centres, including Lismore and Mullumbimby in NSW, have closed in the past 24 hours to ensure the safety of staff and community members as more rough weather hits.

Insurers are closely monitoring severe weather and flood warnings currently in place across southeast Queensland and NSW.

Insurance assessors who have been on the ground for the past month are following directions from emergency services and will be standing by to move back into flood-impacted communities once it is safe to do so.

“The ICA would like to assure the community that the industry will continue to work with governments to understand impacts on the community and ensure affected residents receive assistance,” it said today.

Insurers have already received more than 165,000 claims related to flooding in the two states since February 21.

“This is the last thing communities in southeast Queensland and NSW need, and we understand the stress for homeowners and businesses from yet another flood event,” ICA CEO Andrew Hall said.

“Insurers’ first priority is community safety, and we strongly encourage all those impacted to put their safety first.

“We have been on the ground over the past month and will continue to be available under the direction of emergency services.”