Key Points
- NSW residents in affected areas told to mentally prepare as they return to damaged homes.
- Affected residents can access up to $1,000 to help with flood relief.
Flood victims returning to inundated homes have been warned to mentally prepare and reach out for support from people around them as evacuation orders ease.
Federal relief payments of up to $1,000 are now available for residents of 29 local government areas.
As rain returned in areas across the state, including Sydney, authorities warned of several road closures and public transport disruptions due to flooding.
More support needed, residents say
Matthew Dearlove, whose Brisbane home was severely damaged by floods in February, told SBS News that the $1,000 he received from the government was not enough to address the mental "anguish" flood victims are subjected to.
"The floods suddenly happened with little warning from government authorities," Mr Dearlove said.
"The speed and volume in which water begun to build up was crazy. We had to act quickly to ensure all personal belongings were moved to safer ground.
"One moment things were fine, the next the house was flooded.
"The $1000 relief payment does not justify the ongoing mental and physical anguish we experience.
"The effects are ongoing."
Returning residents warned to brace for extent of damage
Some 37,000 people remained under evacuation orders on Saturday as the State Emergency Service said it was working through easing its emergency notices.
"There's obviously ramifications with that. It's not just a free-for-all, run back in there," Adam Jones from the SES told AAP.
"There will be debris, their homes won't have been checked, so if it has been inundated, there could be structural issues.
"The electrics might need to be looked at by an electrician. There could be mud and sewage everywhere."
Flood-affected residents returning to properties should wear PPE, boots, gloves and have sanitiser handy.
Mr Jones also urged people to mentally prepare to see their homes significantly damaged, and to reach out for community support.
"Everyone's going to be a bit stressed under these circumstances," he said.
The federal government expanded the number of areas able to access relief payments on Saturday evening, adding six more flood-affected councils to the list.
Payments of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child are available to people impacted by the flooding.
Focus on emergency accommodation
Recovery efforts in the state will be overseen by former detective Dean Betts and fellow Resilience NSW director Mel Gore, Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke said on Saturday.
"These appointments will help to ensure flood-affected communities receive support in a timely and efficient way," Ms Cooke said.
Flooding continued in the Hunter and lower Hawkesbury regions on Saturday, with more than 1000 government personnel on standby to assist.
Some 37 Victorian emergency personnel also travelled to NSW to help with the rescue and clean-up, taking the total number of crew from the state to 94.
Ms Cooke said the immediate priorities were damage assessments and making sure displaced residents could access emergency accommodation.
On Sunday, Ms Cooke said the would allow the NSW government to better direct donated money for flood victims.
"By donating through the official channels people can know their generosity is going directly to those who've been hit hardest by the flooding," she said.
At least 53 per cent of examined properties damaged
Of 2,285 premises already examined, 239 have been deemed not habitable and a further 973 require repairs.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries also gave beekeepers another seven days to move hives to higher ground in flood areas.
NSW is battling an outbreak of the varroa mite parasite that has attacked honey bee populations and heavily impacted the local pollination industry.
In the Hunter, lower Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains regions, roads remain cut in multiple towns and train services are affected.
The T1 Western, Blue Mountains and Hunter train lines are not operating between some stations, and the Parramatta River ferries are offering replacement transport between some stops.
Additional reporting by Tom Canetti
