Floodwaters have mostly receded on the NSW mid north coast, freeing thousands of people from isolation.
Following torrential rain in the 48 hours to early Saturday morning (AEDT), close to 5,000 residents were isolated in areas including the towns of Bellingen, Bowraville, and on the upper Bellinger River and the upper Kalang Rivers.
On Saturday evening only 200 people remained isolated near the Orara River at Coutts Crossing, Phil Campbell from the State Emergency Service told AAP.
"They will be isolated overnight and tomorrow night as well but they are well prepared and there aren't any problems," he said.
About 100 SES volunteers responded to more than 400 calls for help, mostly in the Coffs Harbour area.
Problems included damage caused to properties from fallen branches and leaking roofs.
The NSW government on Saturday declared Nambucca, Bellingen and Kempsey shires and Coffs Harbour natural disaster zones.
Areas of Coffs Harbour were pelted with 528mm of rain and further south at Bellingen up to 351mm was recorded in the 48 hours to early Saturday morning.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned parts of the mid north coast could be hit with more showers on Sunday afternoon.
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