Australia Weather News

Authorities are urging residents "not to be complacent" as record-breaking flooding continues to impact New South Wales. 

Three people have been confirmed dead following the recovery of a woman's body from her car on Thursday.

The woman, aged 60, had been warned about driving through floodwater after initially travelling in convoy with a police officer on Wednesday night near Dorrigo.

The driver continued solo towards Coffs Harbour for 17 kilometres, where her car reportedly became trapped in floodwater and she called authorities for help.

Police searched the area that evening but were unable to find her.

They recovered her body from her 4WD on Thursday afternoon, calling it a "tragic circumstance".

It comes after anotherbody was found in floodwater at Rosewood, near Wauchope, earlier on Thursday. 

It was believed to be the body of a 34-year-old man, who reportedly became stuck in floodwater while driving the night before. 

David Knowles, 63, was also found dead on the verandah of his North Moto Road home, north-east of Taree, on Wednesday afternoon.

Person still missing

Meanwhile at Nymboida, south of Grafton, a 49-year-old man has been missing since Wednesday evening after he failed to return home from reportedly walking near a flooded roadway.

NSW State Emergency Service (SES) spokesperson Andrew Edmunds warned communities to remain on high alert on Friday and into the weekend.

"We're seeing a real risk of renewed flooding across the next day or two," he said.

"Even if it appears to be a sunny day or a decent break in the rain, there's still a huge amount of water to work its way through these catchments and out to sea."

SES superintendent Dallas Byrnes told ABC News Breakfast there were still 50,000 people isolated and at least 9,000 residents in areas subject to evacuation warnings.

"We've seen some drop off in these river heights, however, we are concerned that they may [rise] again with further rainfall into the hinterland and ranges area," he said.

"That will top off these already-saturated catchments, so we're expecting another busy day."

Superintendent Byrnes said 678 flood rescues had been conducted so far.

"People still are driving into floodwaters, which is really concerning, incredibly dangerous," he said.

"We've seen a top-off in the amount of people we're rescuing from evacuation areas that have stayed.

"That's good that the community is heeding the warnings, but it's still really dangerous out there."

Resupply push

NSW SES State Duty Commander Colin Malone said the rain would start to ease later today but the risk from flooding was far from over.

"We may see renewed rises as water from earlier heavy falls makes its way downstream," he said.

Assistant Commissioner Malone said more than 600 flood rescues had been performed since the start of the crisis and that resupplying isolated communities would become a priority today.

"A major focus now will be continuing to support those isolated residents who may be stuck for several days until floodwater recedes," he said.

"We'll be using boats and helicopters to help isolated people with food and medications and also assist in transporting people to urgent medical appointments or other medical emergencies."

Forty emergency warnings are still in place across the region, 25 of which are under evacuation orders.

More than 100 NSW public schools have ceased operating.

PM plans to visit region

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid his respects to the flood victims and said he was planning to visit the affected region.

"Our hearts go out to the friends and family and the community," he told ABC Radio Sydney on Wednesday afternoon.

"We'll put those arrangements in place [to visit] and certainly it is a terrible situation and it's always a balance — you don't want to get in the way of rescues, as well."

Police have urged the public to adhere to all safety messaging, avoid non-essential travel and not to travel onto flooded roadways. 

Evacuation centres are operating in the following locations: