Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has pledged financial relief of $1000 for each adult and $400 for each child affected by the severe storm which ravaged Brisbane on Sunday night.
Mr Rudd, who had his flight from the USA diverted so he could tour storm-damaged areas of Brisbane, this morning toured streets at The Gap, the suburb worst hit by the wild weather.
"The Commonwealth through Centrelink will be making available further payments ... in circumstances of significant damage," Mr Rudd said.
He also pledged the assistance of more Australian Army Troops, who were yesterday deployed to distribute emergency drinking water at The Gap after it was discovered yesterday the roof of the The Gap Reservoir had collapsed, contaminating supplies.
"This is just the beginning of what is going to be a very long term clean-up," he said.
Mr Rudd, Premier Anna Bligh and Lord Mayor Campbell Newman this morning visited Weemala Street, Warralong Street and Woongarra Street at The Gap.
"I've just visited the home of the Wallaces, and you begin to see the effect this has on a person's life, when all those collectables all those things that they put together in the course of their life (have) been exposed to the elements and damaged.
"You begin to get a sense of how this affects people's state of mind."
Ms Bligh dismissed suggestions State Emergency Services (SES) were slow to respond to calls for help from residents. She praised the efforts of emergency services and residents during the massive clean-up.
The biggest storm in two decades left one man dead and the city a natural disaster area after torrential rain and hail hit Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Redcliffe on Sunday, damaging about 4000 homes and leaving 30 unliveable.
Mr Rudd spent the weekend at the G20 summit in Washington, DC, with 19 other world leaders attempting to solve the global financial crisis.
Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard activated natural disaster relief and recovery arrangements on Monday.
brisbanetimes.com.au