Here's what you need to know this morning.
Flood recriminations begin
Authorities are continuing to defend their handling of the latest flood emergency in northern NSW, amid questions about whether enough warnings were given to residents who found themselves engulfed by rising floodwaters.
The Lismore CBD and surrounds were forced to evacuate for a second time yesterday after residents and business owners were told it was safe to return the area.
In Byron Bay's CBD and the suburb of Suffolk Park, residents were forced to flee to safety, with Byron Shire's Mayor saying it was disappointing no warnings were issued until after it was too late.
The Acting SES Commissioner Daniel Austin has again defended the warnings given, saying it was an unpredictable scenario.
"We have been saying these systems were highly dynamic, and we have to be mindful that there are locations that receive significant rainfall totals literally only a matter of kilometres from locations that received very little by comparison," he said.
Floods Minister Steph Cooke, said authorities had done what they could, during a dynamic unfolding scenario.
"We know that this weather system is incredibly unpredictable and rapidly evolving, and exactly where those really heavy falls land is actually really difficult to predict, and we're seeing that change, hour by hour," she said.
Flood threat remains
A number of towns across northern New South Wales are still under threat despite floodwater levels falling in some parts.
The Wilsons River in Lismore peaked at 11.4 metres last night and has slowly begun falling.
But authorities say the river is still spilling over the levee, causing major flooding in parts of the CBD.
Major flooding is expected in Grafton, Ulmarra and Maclean today with the Clarence River expected to peak at 5.7 metres.
There are 30 evacuation orders currently in place impacting more than 27,000 people across the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast regions.
The rain has eased but the weather system is moving south. SES Assistant Commissioner Nicole Hogan said authorities would be monitoring flood levels closely.
"All our catchments at the moment are quite saturated and there can be rapid river rises and flash flooding due to any amounts of rain," she said.
There have been 45 flood rescues across the state.
Search for missing woman continues
Police will continue looking for a woman who was reportedly trapped inside her car in floodwaters near Lismore on Tuesday night.
Anita Brakel, 55, was last seen in her white Holden Captiva on Wyrallah Road in Monaltrie about 9:50pm two days ago.
The aged care nurse from Nowra had been working in the area.
An associate of Ms Brakel called emergency services but she has not been located during multiple searches.
Police have appealed for anyone who might have seen Mr Brakel or her white station wagon to contact Crime Stoppers, 1800 333 000.
Nurses to walk off the job
Thousands of nurses and midwives will strike today across NSW over claims they have been left stretched and overworked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many will walk off the job for 24 hours from 7am saying an initial strike six weeks ago failed to stir the state government into acting on a "staffing crisis".
The NSW Nurses and Midwives Association members will hold more than 20 public rallies tomorrow, with thousands expected to descend on NSW Parliament.
The union's general secretary, Brett Holmes said 180 branches had voted in favour of the strike demanding the government address growing patient safety concerns.
"Our members are increasingly frustrated at the government's inaction to address the serious issues they are raising shift after shift, but seemingly falling on deaf ears," he said.
New direction for NSW Police
NSW Police has appointed two new Deputy Commissioners and two new Assistant Commissioners, described by Commissioner Karen Webb as four experienced officers who would help to stabilise the state's police force.
Assistant Commissioner Paul Pisanos has been appointed Deputy Commissioner, Corporate Services, while Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell takes up the role of Deputy Commissioner, Regional NSW Field Operations.
Superintendent Rashelle Conroy is now Assistant Commissioner, Forensic Evidence and Technical Services Command, and Superintendent Brett McFadden takes up Assistant Commissioner Traffic and Highway Patrol Command.
Commissioner Webb congratulated the new team.
"Strong, authentic leadership is key to our future and my vision over the next five years, and I look forward to stabilising the NSW Police Force following these announcements," she said.
"These four very experienced and well-respected officers bring with them over 130 years of combined service, knowledge and expertise — which will be invaluable to the organisation and community of New South Wales."
Sydney's wettest March on record
There's still one day to go but this month has already been the wettest March on record for Sydney.
More than 537mm of rain had fallen on the Harbour City between March 1 and 9am yesterday, making it Sydney's sixth wettest month ever.
It is only the second time on record that the Observatory Hill rain gauge has seen more than 500mm of rain during the third month of the year.
The other time was in March 1942, when 521mm fell over the course of the month.
There's more rain on the way today.
