SES warn NSW residents returning home after floods

The threat to lives and property from rising waters on the NSW south coast has passed but the SES is advising people to take care when returning to their homes.

More than 300 residents in Sussex Inlet and St George's Basin began heading home on Thursday after being evacuated the day before.

The SES has received more than 1700 calls for help and has performed 90 flood rescues since the storm began on Monday.

It advises people to stay away from floodwater, which could be contaminated.

The south coast has been given the all clear but flooding is still a concern for some areas in western Sydney as the Warragamba Dam spills and the Hawkesbury and Nepean rivers rise.

The spillover from Warragamba Dam is, however, expected to be less than previously forecast.

The rain has eased but the weather bureau has issued a warning for strong winds along the coast between Illawarra and the Hunter region on Friday.