The Insurance Council of Australia says 1435 claims have been lodged due to the northern Queensland floods, as severe weather begins to ease and evacuated Townsville residents are permitted to return home.

Major flooding continues along the Herbert River near Ingham, but the Ross River in Townsville did not reach the levels previously feared and the warning there was downgraded to moderate today.

“With that has come a big sigh of relief for the people of Townsville. There is no doubt that the city has dodged a bullet,” state Premier David Crisafulli said. 

The Bureau of Meteorology says rain has become more scattered over the region following torrential falls over the past few days that led to totals exceeding a metre in some areas.

“Water is still moving through these catchment systems so that risk of riverine flooding will continue today and likely over the next few days as we gradually start to see river levels falling,” meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said.

Moderate to major flooding is generally easing along the Herbert, which peaked at 14.94 metres at the Ingham Pump Station on Monday – well above the major flood level of 12 metres.

Mr Crisafulli says there has been incredible devastation at Ingham, in an event that compares to floods in 1967. Generators have been flown to the town for essential services. 

“There have been people who have been inundated at home, at their businesses and in their farms,” said the Premier, who grew up in Ingham.  

A bridge on the Bruce Highway that has washed away will be rebuilt with a focus on greater disaster resilience, he says.  

“We will use every focus that comes from a disaster to ensure that we don’t rebuild the same bit of infrastructure, to the same standard, the same location, and expect a different result. We are determined to build betterment into all that we do. Disasters will strike and communities understand that, but there’s no point continuing to do the same thing and expecting a different result.”

IAG says it has received about 100 claims so far across its brands and has deployed more claims personnel to north Queensland.  

Suncorp and RACQ also said this week they will be sending personnel to support claimants in the region.

The Restoration Industry Association says residents and businesses must show extreme caution when dealing with floodwater and damaged materials and items.

President Brodie West says floodwater typically carries soil bacteria, fungi, infectious disease agents from sewage, industrial waste, heavy metals, pesticides, fertilisers and other contaminants. 

“The right approach must be taken to reduce the impact of health and physical hazards immediately following a flood, in particular drying and hazard removal,” she said. “This helps ensure most dangers surrounding contaminated water and mould can be resolved or significantly reduced.”

ICA declared the flooding a significant event yesterday.