Rainfall records have been toppled in some Mid North Coast areas, including Taree where 305 millimetres fell in the 24 hours to 9am on Thursday.
The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed it's the highest daily rainfall figure in the township of Taree since 1881, which included the town gauge records.
"It's also the highest amount of rain since 2000 where 211mm fell on March 8," bureau community engagement officer Morgan Pumpa said.
Other Mid North Coast towns experienced two-day July rainfall records.
They included Krambach, which had 270mm in the 48 hours to 9am on Thursday, toppling a 1922 record.
"With the easing of the rain today there's some good news, but still the chance of some river rises as the water moves downstream," Ms Pumpa said.
State Emergency Service Mid North Coast deputy local commander Lester Davis said it was shocking how quickly the rain came.
He said it had prompted three flood rescues and nearly 200 calls for assistance.
"Everybody was particularly surprised with the rate at which it fell," he said.
"We had an enormous amount of rain in such a short period of time."
Long road to recovery
Authorities ware focusing on the damaged Mid North Coast road network, which was already being repaired after floods in the past 18 months.
Nambucca Valley Shire mayor Rhonda Hoban said repair and upgrade works in her region, south of Coffs Harbour, would cost millions of dollars.
"Our biggest issue is the condition of our roads, they are falling apart at the seams and for some cases they're beyond patching," Ms Hoban said.
Parts of the area recorded nearly 300mm of rain since Tuesday and there were concerns driving conditions would be dangerous for months due to the extensive potholes.
Communities on standby
Residents in parts of Tuncurry and Bulahdelah were told to evacuate on Wednesday evening while Croki, Coopernook, Forster Keys and other parts of Bulahdelah remained on standby.
Croki resident Mark Byrne said people in his town were used to floods.
"Everyone here helps each other prepare, lift fridges up, clean garages out and make sure things aren't going to float away," Mr Byrne said.
Dairy farmer Craig Emerton said he had never seen so much rain.
"I've been recording here on the dairy farm for the last 33 years," Mr Emerton said.
"We're nearly 400mm total for July already."
Mr Emerton said he was fortunate to be able to continue to feed his cattle.
"But there's no pasture left that's not spoilt or underwater now," he said.
Croki resident of more than 30 years, Sandy Coskerie, said floods just kept happening. h
"This is the third flood here in 12 months," she said.
Nearby in Landsdowne, Shirley Haines said residents were on alert after previous floods.
"We just warn each other what's going on and we just have to stay safe," she said.
"Everyone checks on each other here, it's a little village."
