Four people have died, one remains missing, and 50,000 are isolated across NSW as the flood waters begin to recede.
The family of one woman who died in floodwaters in NSW have disputed police claims around her death.
Pauline Fitzsimons, 58, was swept to her death at Dorrigo, west of Coffs Harbour, on Wednesday night after driving through floodwaters.
The news of the tragedy was confirmed last night by police, who said she had been travelling in convoy with a police officer when he decided to turn around.
“The woman in her 4WD decided to continue, he checked the water levels for her, and she made a decision to continue,” NSW Police Assistant Commissioner David Waddel said.
“The water levels were only ankle deep.
“He decided to go back, he gave her his phone number and told her to continue with caution.”
Thirty minutes later, she made a desperate call for help.
Her body was found hours later.
Today, her family issued a statement, criticising the police response.
“He gave his mobile number to her, we assume, for her to call should she be in danger.
“She contacted him 20 minutes later in a hysterical state, informing him she was drowning.
“The idea that our mother was a reckless driver is a terrible lie.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was in the disaster zone today, was asked about the ordeal.
“I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to comment on an individual circumstance, except to say this: my heart goes out to the family and loved ones of this woman.”
Massive emergency response
Four people have died in the floods, and police are still searching for one person who remains missing.
The NSW SES said that there are still 160 active warnings, 39 of which are at emergency level.
More than 50,000 people are still isolated.
Emergency services have carried out 736 flood rescues.
Taree locals begin cleanup
Water levels began to ease on the Manning River earlier today, allowing thousands of Taree residents to return home.
Today they began the enormous task of cleaning up the damage of hundreds of inundated homes.
The Kempsey CBD, north of Port Macquarie, remains inundated.
More than 1600 insurance claims have been filed from the floods in the last few days, according to the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA).
Rain has largely cleared over the Mid-North coast.
Drier weather has set in, and is likely to remain over the weekend.
Sydney received massive rainfall overnight, with the weather system moving down over the NSW South Coast.
Warragamba Dam was at 97 per cent capacity today.
Strong winds are likely to arrive on the NSW Coast this weekend.
Aid for those affected by floods
The NSW government and federal government will provide hardship grants to those affected by the floods, Minns said.
“I want to announce with the Prime Minister that assistance will begin to flow soon, and today I can announce that in conjunction with the Commonwealth Government, that personal hardship assistance grants of $180 per individual or $900 per family will be available as soon as possible,” he said.
“It’s not today, but that funding is on the way for communities that are subject to an evacuation order.
“Again, jointly funded by the state and Commonwealth Government, a $1 million community recovery grant for local councils, $1 million for each local council affected by emergency orders.
