New data has revealed Queensland’s storm damage hotspots have shifted over the last five years after more than 126,000 home insurance claims lodged with Suncorp were analysed.

Data shows Brisbane, the Fraser Coast, Far North Queensland and the Gold Coast have been the severe storm hotspots at different times between 2022 and 2026, with storms, flood, hail, cyclone and wind damage being the major impacts.

During the data period, Maryborough and Gympie were the only two regions to feature repeatedly among Queensland’s most impacted locations.

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Bracken Ridge recorded Queensland’s highest number of home extreme weather claims in 2022 with the devastating February and March flood event across Southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales.

In 2023, data shows the storm damage hotspot moved north to Maryborough following a series of severe summer storms, while less than a year later Gympie took the top spot after a severe thunderstorm and hail event.

The Gold Coast, in particular Runaway Bay, became Queensland’s number one hotspot in 2025 when the region was hit by severe thunderstorms.

The following year, Manly West became the state’s leading hotspot after Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and the Southeast Queensland and Northern NSW Giant Hail Outbreak drove significant claims activity.

Storm Damage Claim Hotspots

2022 — Bracken Ridge

2023 — Maryborough

2024 — Gympie

2025 — Runaway Bay

2026 — Manly West

Giant hailstones that hit South East Queensland in 2025. Credit: 7NEWS

Queensland SES Acting Chief Officer Danny Baade said severe weather can “impact any community, often with little warning” and encourage Queenslanders to take practical steps to prepare their homes and families before the higher-risk weather season reaches its peak.

“Getting ready doesn’t need to be complicated, but it is important. Know your risk, make a household emergency plan and pack an emergency kit,” he said.

“Simple actions such as clearing out gutters, securing loose outdoor items, trimming overhanging branches and checking your roof can help reduce damage and improve safety during severe weather.

“Every Queenslander has a role to play in building a more resilient community, and the best time to prepare is before warnings are issued.”

A house at Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast damaged during tropical cyclone Alfred. Credit: DAVE HUNT/AAPIMAGE

A lifeguard post and a collapsed tree on the eroded beach shore at the Southport spit in the Gold Coast during Cyclone Alfred. Credit: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Suncorp Executive General Manager Home Insurance Anna Cartwright said the analysis highlighted how quickly Queensland’s severe weather risk profile could change.

“Five years of claims data tells us one thing very clearly — no Queensland community should assume it’s immune to severe storm impacts,” she said.

“Over the past five years we’ve seen major flooding inundate southeast Queensland, severe storms impact communities across the Fraser Coast and Far North Queensland, and most recently Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred bring damaging winds and heavy rainfall that wreaked havoc across southeast Queensland.

“Some communities appear in our claims data time and again, while others can go from barely featuring one year to becoming a major hotspot the next.

“The lesson isn’t to focus on which suburb topped the list last year. It’s that every Queensland household should prepare for severe storms before it arrives.”

The February-March 2022 southeast Queensland floods cost an estimated $7.7 billion. Credit: AAP

Severe Weather Forecaster Justin Noonan said although this Spring is looking less active than normal, it doesn’t mean it is risk-free.

“While large-scale climate patterns suggest Spring is expected to be less active than normal, Queenslanders can still expect severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall.” Noonan said.

“Seasonal outlooks can tell us about broad weather patterns, but they can’t tell us exactly where the next severe thunderstorm will strike. A quieter season doesn’t mean a risk-free season.

“The claims data shows severe storms can impact many different parts of Queensland, which is why preparation remains important regardless of whether your suburb has appeared on a hotspot list before.”