More rain is on the way for storm-lashed regions just as the clean-up begins in southeast Queensland.
But the Bureau of Meteorology does not expect a repeat of the Christmas-New Year period's wild weather.
Conditions finally eased in the southeast this week, allowing the recovery effort to start after seven people died in storm-related incidents.
Australian Defence Force troops began to arrive on Thursday to assist the hardest-hit areas after homes were destroyed and thousands left without power.
"They'll be dealing with some of the more complex tree removals and debris clearances for public spaces that are critical infrastructure," Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen told AAP.
More than 50 ADF personnel are set to be on the ground in the southeast by Friday.
"It's a morale boost because residents out this way have been through so much over the holiday period when many others were celebrating," Logan Mayor Darren Power said of the troops' arrival.
Scenic Rim, Gold Coast and Logan councils have received $1 million in state government funding to assist with the clean-up.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles visited the Gold Coast on Thursday to oversee the recovery after a brief break with family, offering a helping hand to clear trees.
The bureau warned showers and isolated thunderstorms were set to return in the southeast on Friday.
However, Queensland residents should not expect another severe weather event, with more flooding unlikely.
"This activity will be very short and sharp," meteorologist David Grant said.
The Gold Coast experienced a tornado on Christmas Day while Logan and the Scenic Rim regions were also hit hard after storms were followed by heavy rain and flash flooding.
"Many in the community have shone a really bright light with character and resilience," Mr Christensen said.
"There are also a number of people who've never experienced something like this and are now in the middle of a very challenging learning process."
Some homes have been without power since Christmas night.
At one stage more than 130,000 people were hit by blackouts.
More than 6000 were still without electricity but most of those should be restored by Friday.
About 900 homes have suffered major electrical damage.
The storms caused "unprecedented levels of damage" to the network.
"It's obliterated the network in some parts," Energex's Chris Graham told ABC Radio.
"Poles have been snapped in half."
Expert loggers have arrived to help clear fallen trees that have damaged hundreds of power lines.
Northeast NSW and southeast Queensland are set for Friday afternoon thunderstorms, the bureau warned.
"This is significant because these areas have been hit very hard by severe thunderstorms, heavy rain and flooding through the first couple of days of the year," the bureau's Angus Hines said.
There was a risk of severe weather across much of eastern NSW on Thursday night after Victoria copped significant thunderstorms in the previous 24 hours.
SOUTHEAST QLD STORM RECOVERY AT A GLANCE:
- Since Christmas, more than 3200 homes have been impacted by storms, with 10 destroyed and another 145 suffering severe damage
- SES has received more than 5300 calls for assistance
- Almost 76,000 people have applied for state-federal financial assistance, with almost 23,000 approved
- Australian Defence Force deployed 33 personnel on Thursday to assist hard-hit regions with another 20 troops expected on Friday
