A man found clinging to a pole in floodwaters is recovering after being rescued in the NSW Northern Rivers region.
The Richmond Valley State Emergency Service (SES) said members of the public reported hearing a young man calling for help in Woodburn about 10:30 on Saturday night.
"After travelling probably 800 metres through floodwaters, [rescuers] found a young gentleman clinging to a telegraph pole in approximately 1 to 2 metres of water," SES Deputy Commander Bruce McCormack said.
"They were able to boat right to the pole and assist him off the telegraph pole and into the rescue boat."
Mr McCormack said the man had walked into the water as he was trying to get to a location to be picked up, and realising it was too deep, had swum to the pole.
He said the man spent the night at SES headquarters in Woodburn, and was visited by police officers.
"He's put the lives of his rescuers in danger," Mr McCormack said.
Resupply of food and fuel
Evacuation orders remain in place for much of Lismore, and communities along the Richmond River including Bungawalbin, Woodburn, Broadwater, and parts of Coraki and New Italy.
The flood peak along the Richmond River has moved downstream of Woodburn, and the river height fell below the major flood level last on Saturday night.
The SES is continuing to monitor whether residents in the Bungawalbin Whiporie Road area need a resupply of food and fuel.
It says some of this can be achieved with SES flood boats and some will require helicopter air drops.
Anyone in this area that needs a resupply needs to call 132 500. Bungawalbin is expected to be cut off for up to seven days.
More rain forecast
A social media post by a community emergency group, circulated on Saturday, warned of more broad heavy falls in excess of 100 millimetres in flood-affected areas, but the Bureau of Meteorology said that was not expected.
However, senior forecaster Neil Fraser said there was potential for severe thunderstorms on the Mid North Coast on Monday.
"It could produce some localised heavy rainfall, damaging winds and large hail," he said.
Mr Fraser said the conditions had the potential to affect southern parts of the Northern Rivers as well.
"From Thursday, Friday and even Saturday, there's potentially a lot of shower activity."
Mr Fraser said those falls could be up to 40mm each day.
"It'll affect the recovery, with the ground being wet and more showers coming through."
'Need facilities that are fit for purpose'
SES management is investigating whether current facilities built in the flood plain are fit for purpose.
Five SES buildings in the Northern Rivers were flooded, including the Broadwater facility where water almost reached the roof of its second storey.
The Woodburn and Lismore SES buildings have also had major damage.
"We need to get facilities that are fit for purpose and safe, and out of areas that flood," SES Chief Superintendent Ashley Sullivan said.
Superintendent Sullivan said 35 major items have also been lost, including a $400,000 rescue vehicle which was only recently delivered to the Woodburn SES.
'Unbelievable' donation
Meanwhile, Sydney-based Vietnamese monks have travelled to Lismore to hand over a cheque for $100,000 for the council-led flood appeal.
The monks have a connection to the Northern Rivers region through the Bodhi Tree Forest Monastery at Tullera.
Lismore City Council Mayor Steve Krieg said it was an incredible act of kindness.
"Unbelievable generosity … you never know who you are going to meet and what absolute blessings that you will get," Mr Krieg said.
