A 69-year-old Meridan Plains man was among seven people to die as severe storms felled trees, swelled rivers and cut power across South-East Queensland this week.
The man was one of three people who died after a boat capsized in Moreton Bay on Tuesday afternoon.
There were 11 passengers on board. Paramedics initially took eight patients to hospital in a stable condition, with one man missing. His body was found on Wednesday.
The Meridan Plains man, a 48-year-old from Alexandra Hills and a 59-year-old from Tingalpa died.
Acting Superintendent Andrew Pilotto said conditions on the water were “horrific”.
“The storm was raging when they were rescued,” he said.
“It would have been very difficult to survive in those conditions.”
In the latest tragedy, the body of a 46-year-old woman was recovered near Gympie after a search in the Mary River on Wednesday.
Three women had been “exploring” in a storm drain when they were swept away, police said.
The body of a 40-year-old was also retrieved from the river on Tuesday night, while the third woman managed to get to safety.
The body of a nine-year-old girl was found following an extensive police search on Tuesday evening after she was lost in Brisbane stormwater drains.
“It is just a tragic set of circumstances but it’s felt particularly hard this time of year when people would prefer to be spending time with their loved ones and family,” Superintendent Paul Algie said.
Christmas storms also accounted for a death on Monday after a 59-year-old woman was fatally struck by a falling tree on the Gold Coast.
Premier Steven Miles said he was heartbroken to hear of the deaths.
“Every Queenslander will have those families in our thoughts and prayers,” he posted to social media.
The bureau said the worst of the weather should ease on Thursday but severe storms could return to Queensland from Saturday.
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