NSW residents are being warned to brace for more deaths from the escalating flood crisis in the state's north as 17 councils are declared disaster zones.
"The situation is distressing for many and will affect more. The ultimate focus now is saving lives and getting people to safety," Premier Dominic Perrottet said on Tuesday.
Hundreds of people are still unaccounted for and at least one man is feared dead after going missing in floodwaters.
