Floods in Victoria’s Gippsland region have begun to recede, but rescue workers in some areas are still waiting for water levels to fall.

An Insurance Council of Australia spokesman says it’s too early to give a claims estimate. “Insurers are on the ground and have been assessing the damage over the course of the weekend. An industry-wide estimate on claims is expected to come in during the next 24 to 48 hours.”

But most people don’t have flood cover, and they appear to be well aware of the fact. Alan Wilson Insurance Brokers covers the entire area of Gippsland. Operations Manager Steve Callahan told Sunrise Exchange News the brokerage has not received any claims but there have been many enquiries from residents.

“It’s a matter of time before we receive claims, but 99% of policies do not have provision for flood cover and I would expect the majority of residents will have flood damage,” he said. “We’re going to do the best we can to help them.”

Mr Callahan says the areas most affected are Lakes Entrance and Raymond Island, but Newry, Bairnsdale, Paynesville, Sale and Loch Sport are also suffering.

More than 54,000 sandbags have been put in place and 400 rescue workers are on standby in the region. The Victorian State Emergency Service says the region has experienced the heaviest rainfall in almost 40 years.