A storm that battered south-east Queensland late yesterday is the worst to hit the area in 24 years, according a local loss adjuster.

More than 200,000 homes were left without power as strong winds, heavy rain and hail lashed Toowoomba, the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

While insurers were busy this morning co-ordinating claims service operations, loss adjusters were already on the scene. Advanced Assessing principal Neville Hiscox says he expects a busy week as claims pile up.

“We had a call last night regarding severe damage up at Narangba,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au. “In Caboolture and suburbs north of there trees are down across roads and across power lines.

Mr Hiscox says the storm – which he says is the worst in the area since 1984 – has damaged many houses. “There are holes in roofs and windows and water has come into electrical fittings. It’s going to take a week for the debris to be cleared up and a couple more to get houses dried out and claims lodged.”

NRMA Insurance says emergency repairs are under way and tarpaulins are being issued to customers with damaged homes.

Queensland State Manager Brett Robinson says with wet weather forecast in coming days “it’s important we make homes safe and as comfortable as possible”.

“Builders have already been allocated to the worst damaged homes and will continue to be allocated as claims for serious damage are lodged,” he said.

NRMA received more than 500 claims for damaged homes and cars by 9am this morning.

Some 200 State Emergency Service volunteers worked through last night attending to 900 incidents across the affected area.