Storms and flash flooding across southeast Queensland have claimed the lives of seven people since Christmas but households have now been warned to prepare for a heatwave.
Federal Disaster and Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said on Thursday residents should look out for neighbours who were elderly or living with disability.
"If you have fans or air conditioning available and have got the power on, today is the day to use it," Senator Watt said.
"If you don't have that, today is the day to think about using those public libraries, public pools, other spaces top stay safe."
Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt has urged Queenslanders to look out for the vulnerable. (Jason O'BRIEN/AAP PHOTOS)
More than 120,000 homes and businesses lost power during extreme rain, lightning and wind.
Queensland Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said 63 per cent of customers without power since Monday and Tuesday's "unprecedented" storms now had their services restored.
"By the evening of 30th December we aim to have 80 per cent of households and businesses across the affected region have power resupplied," he said.
"By New Years Eve we aim to have 90 per cent resupplied."Â
Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate thanked volunteers who had come from across Queensland and northern NSW to assist with recovery after hundreds of local homes were damaged.
Council services such as public pools would be open to help people cool down during the extreme heat days, he said.
"We are fortunate to have two days' reprieve from the strong winds and severe storm.
"It''s time to get ready."
Premier Steven Miles said the government had activated disaster assistance for parts of the Gold Coast, Logan and Scenic Rim following the devastating storms.
The assistance package includes emergency hardship grants of $180 for individuals and up to $900 for families.
Uninsured low to middle income residents will be eligible for up for grants up to $1765 for individuals and $5300 for couples or families to replace household contents lost to storm damage.
Senator Watt said those households could also apply for assistance of up to $5000 with the costs of repairing connections to electricity, water and gas.
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