Insurers are already fielding claims after Saturday night’s drenching in Queensland’s southeast, particularly the Gold Coast region where falls of up to 400mm in six hours have been reported.

A Suncorp spokesman says claims are coming in but so far the event “doesn’t look like a major one”.

Media reports say at least 30 boats broke from their moorings as floodwaters raged down the Coomera River, capsizing some and smashing others into jetties.