Rainfall records toppled in Mid North Coast

Rainfall records have been toppled in some Mid North Coast areas, including Taree where 305 millimetres fell in the 24 hours to 9 am on Thursday.

The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed that it had the highest daily rainfall in the township of Taree since 1881, which included the city gauge records.

It is the highest amount of rain since 2000, where 211 mm fell on March 8, according to Morgan Pumpa, the bureau community engagement officer.

Krambach, which had 270 mm in the 48 hours to 9 am on Thursday, toppled a 1922 record.

With the easing of the rain today, there's good news, but there's still the chance of a river rises as the water moves downstream, Ms Pumpa said.

State Emergency Service Mid North Coast deputy 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.

He said that everyone was surprised at the rate at which it fell.

We had an enormous amount of rain in such a short period. The Mid North Coast road network, which was already being repaired after floods in the past 18 months, was being repaired by authorities.

Nambucca Valley Shire Mayor Rhonda Hoban said repairs and upgrades 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 are beyond patching, Ms Hoban said.

Approximately 300 mm of rain were recorded since Tuesday and there were concerns that driving conditions would be dangerous for months due to the extensive potholes.

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.

Mark Byrne, a Croki resident, said people in his town were used to flooding.

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 almost 400 mm total for July. Emerton said he was fortunate to be able to feed his cattle.

He said there was no pasture left that isn't underwater or spoilt now.

Sandy Coskerie, a Croki resident of more than 30 years, said floods just kept happening. She said this is the third flood in a row in the last 12 months.

Shirley Haines said residents were on alert after previous floods, and were nearby in Landsdowne.

She said we just need to stay safe and that we just need to warn each other what's going on.

Everyone checks on each other here, it's a little village.