Queensland premier Anna Bligh has activated disaster relief funding for flooded areas in south-east Queensland, after rain lashed the region over the past 24 hours.

The premier said that joint state and commonwealth-funded natural disaster relief and recovery arrangements (NDRRA) operated from 6pm on Wednesday night.

The declared disaster area takes in the Sunshine Coast south to, and including, the Gold Coast and west to, and including, Toowoomba Regional Council.

The premier briefed the prime minister Kevin Rudd late Wednesday afternoon on the disaster.

She told him that she had been advised that the weather could get worse before it improved.

"I am calling on residents to bunker down and be prepared," she said.

"I again ask motorists to exercise extreme caution and to remain patient.

"Now more than ever motorists must be careful on our roads."

Under the joint commonwealth and federally funded NDRRA activation, individuals can apply for a number of different personal hardship grants, which include $165 per person and up to $765 per family for directly impacted residents who have been unable to recover via their own means.

Mean-tested essential household contents grants are also be available for some residents.

This can be up to $1,635 for an individual applicant, or $4,910 for a couple or family.

If any residents did suffer personal hardship as a result of the flooding, they could apply to the department of communities for assistance, on 1800 173 349.