Clean up begins for flood-hit NSW residents

Communities across the NSW Hunter region say they are relieved to have avoided major flood damage, but evacuated locals are frustrated they are still unable to return to their homes.

The clean up begins for residents of the flood-affected NSW Hunter region. Source: SBS News

In Raymond Terrace, sunshine has returned after the town suffered its second major flood in nine months.

But unlike the devastation seen last April, this time there has been no extensive damage or fatalities.

Residents Eddie and Wendy Bridge have come down to the local wharf to take photos of the flood zone, with playgrounds looking more like swimming pools.

The couple have told SBS News they are extremely happy everyone has pulled through without harm.

“Oh kind of relieved,” Wendy Bridge said.

“We woke up this morning and said, 'oh sunshine at last'"

Eddie Bridge said he is also pleased to see the town functioning as normal.

“We’re relieved in the sense that people can work, businesses can operate with at least less interference than last year,” he said.

Ken Higgs, a Raymond Terrace local for less than 18 months, also believes the sight of flooding has become a norm for the 13,000-strong community.

“I think the town is pretty used to it by now,” he said.

Peter Robinson was forced to evacuate his home and bed and breakfast business and has returned to assess the damage.

He avoided damage by pulling up his carpets on the lower level of his house, which suffered only minor flooding.

His backyard, however, now looks like a swamp.

"Well it's supposed to be a one in 20 year flood, so we've had two this year now, or two in the last 12 months, so that's enough for now thank you very much," Mr Robinson joked.

Dozens of residents and holidaymakers have been told they are still unable to return to their properties.

That includes PJ Shaw, who told SBS News his holiday has been “sort of wrecked” due to the rising waters.

“We wanna get back in because all of our stuff is inside,” Mr Shaw said.

The water levels in parts of Raymond Terrace are still quite high, but it has dropped significantly compared to yesterday.

Despite frustration from evacuated residents, NSW SES spokesperson Michelle Mavroyeni said it could still take days before they are all able to return to their homes.

"The waters are still high and we're wanting to ensure that before we allow people back in, that we've ensured that power is back on and safely back on, that roads are OK and safe to drive upon, and that people are safe to go back to their homes," Ms Mavroyeni said.