Moree facing worst floods in over a decade while recovery effort begins in Sydney's west
Towns in northern New South Wales remain in the grips of their worst flooding in over a decade while thousands return home to devastation in Sydney's west.
More than 20,000 people remain stranded around the state with fresh evacuation warnings in place for the Moree area.
The Mehi River recorded a major flood peak this morning at 10.4 metres, with residents in low-lying areas forced to flee overnight and this morning.
LIVE UPDATES: ADF to ramp up flood relief efforts
In late 2019, the farms around Moree were stripped bare by long drought. Now, the floodplains around the northern NSW town are underwater. Nine
"It is believed that most river systems have peaked however complacency is a concern for us," Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.
More than 3000 people were able to return to their communities since yesterday after six evacuation orders were lifted due to easing weather conditions.
As floodwaters drop, the state's mammoth recovery effort has now begun with insurance companies predicting the damage to top $1 billion.
"We appreciate it will be a very challenging time for people today and tomorrow as they go back to their homes and their properties," Ms Berejiklian said.
More than 100,000 megalitres flowed down the Mehi River. Jason Hunt/Facebook
"We are seeing a number of areas where we are starting to see the water recede including locations around Taree and Kempsey," Deputy Commissioner of NSW SES Daniel Austin said.
"A significant effort going into resupply and to get food and possessions into those communities."
The easing conditions will give emergency services an opportunity to focus on resupply to communities isolated by flooding Australian Defence Force ramps up its relief efforts.
"There are many supplies being loaded onto helicopters and our boats to go out to those communities, and restocking some of those supermarkets, which is good news," NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York said.
"Today, we're really about the resupply, we're really about making those areas in Grafton and looking after those people that have been evacuated overnight, making sure they're safe and looked after."
READ MORE: NSW schools and roads closed as disastrous flood waters rise
Residents cleaning up her flooded home. Flood waters are receding in North Street, Windsor. Louise Kennerley
The roof of a structure is visible as floodwater covers large areas northwest of Sydney. Some 18,000 residents of Australia's most populous state have fled their homes since last week, with warnings the flood cleanup could stretch into April. AP
NSW Emergency Services Minister David Elliott told Today the emergency still exists and urged residents to follow advice from authorities.
"The Hawkesbury River and the Northern Rivers does remain a concern for the state emergency services," Mr Elliott said.
"This rain may have gone away but what happened is of course all the tributary, all the streams, all the rivers that lead into these large waterways are still full and they're still pushing water downstream."
Mr Elliott said the emergency had affected 24,000 people and flood-hit communities faced a huge - and potentially hazardous - clean-up effort.
"What we see now is that sewerage has overflown. What we see is snakes and spiders are in some of those areas. What we see now is the debris needs to be cleaned up very quickly, and then we still have to resupply a lot of communities."
ADF personnel to join flood relief efforts
The Australian Defence Force will join the flood relief effort in NSW today, with 290 personnel deployed to hard-hit areas.
Military helicopters began search and rescue missions over flood regions earlier this week after the NSW Government requested help.
But the ADF is now expected to start helping on the ground.
READ MORE: Dry weather brings relief for flood-hit NSW communities but concern remains over rising rivers
A file photo of an ADF Blackhawk helicopter. Three more of the aircraft are joining flood relief operations in NSW. AAP
Prime Minister Scott Morrison told Federal Parliament yesterday they would be helping "recovery support and clean-up operations".
After the initial deployment of 290 ADF personnel, the number is expected to rise to 700 over the coming days.
Three more military helicopters will join the two already flying missions over NSW.
Western Sydney and other flood-hit parts of NSW can expect a largely dry day today.
Largely dry weather conditions are expected today with light showers forecast for the afternoon. Nine
A Weatherzone spokesman told nine.com.au showers were forecast for this afternoon but they were not expected to be heavy or extensive.
Tomorrow a southerly change will arrive bringing more light rain.
Emergency turns deadly
Yesterday the flood crisis turned deadly with two men killed in separate incidents in New South Wales and Queensland.
Ayaz Younus, aged 25, died after his car became trapped in floodwaters in Sydney's north-west, while a 38-year-old man, who had been reported missing on Monday, was found in car in floodwaters on the Gold Coast.
An aerial view over floodwaters on Cattai Ridge Road at Glenorie, where a man died yesterday.. Getty
The death of the 25-year-old is an "unfortunate but timely reminder" of the dangers of flood waters, Mr Austin told Today.
"Our hearts go out to friends and family as well as the rescuers that were involved in the job itself," he said.
"It does unfortunately serve as a reminder that the risk remains."
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said it would be "unhelpful to speculate" on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
"This is a graphic and tragic reminder of the dangers that occur on our road as this crisis unfolds," he said.
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