The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has declared a catastrophe for ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, with more than 3800 claims already lodged in an area extending from Cape York Peninsula to Mackay.

ICA says insurers will prioritise claims for affected policyholders across Far North Queensland, with claims triaged to direct urgent assistance to the worst-affected property owners.

Insurers will mobilise disaster response specialists to assist affected customers with claims and assessments as soon as emergency services say it is safe to do so, and an industry taskforce has been established to identify and address issues arising from the catastrophe, ICA says.

More than two metres of rain have soaked parts of northern Queensland in less than a week, seeing rivers set new highs and Cairns airport flooded. 

"The clean-up has begun, but the full impact is still unfolding," ICA COO Kylie Macfarlane said today.

"Insurers are well-prepared to respond, regardless of the Christmas break, and are on the ground to support policyholders get back on their feet following this devastating event."

The event is the first insurance catastrophe to be declared this year, after ICA previously declared significant events for a Newcastle hailstorm and Tropical Cyclone Jasper initially.