Man still missing as Qld counts flood cost
One person is still missing in the southeast Queensland flood zone as the state begins a long and costly recovery with damages estimated to be over $1 billion.
The elderly man was last seen falling from a boat on the Brisbane river near Breakfast Creek on Saturday, February 26.
Ten people have now died in major floods in Queensland triggered by days of record-breaking rain pummelling the state's most heavily populated region between Gympie and the NSW border.
Whole communities remain cut off by floodwaters, 15,000 properties are without power and up to 17,000 homes and businesses have been submerged and damaged.
Queensland is seeking Commonwealth endorsement to evenly split a $559 million assistance package targeting small businesses, primary producers, sporting organisations and local councils.
The state is looking at a total damage bill that "would easily be into the billions" taking into account insurance claims and repairs to infrastructure, roads and the electricity network, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Friday.
Work needs to be done to mitigate future flood risk as well as ensuring new homes are not built in areas exposed to natural disasters, Deputy Premier Steven Miles said.
"I have visited flooded areas in recent days that frankly should not have been built upon," he said.
Conditions eased on Friday, and while thunderstorms and showers are forecast over the next few days, the Bureau of Meteorology is not predicting widespread significant rainfall.
Catchments in the flood watch area remain very wet and rain may cause localised rises in creeks and rivers, but it's not expected to worsen the current flooding situation.
Some of the region's flood-related deaths were due to water moving "very quickly in areas that we're not used to," Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll told reporters on Friday.
"So over the next few days as the showers, and storms, and rain continues, please be aware of that flash flooding, be aware of your circumstances," she said.
