The damage bill from flood-struck parts of central west NSW is expected to rise to more than $500 million but authorities say it could take months to measure the full cost.
More than 20 local government areas have been declared natural disaster zones in the Forbes region as the unrelenting rain, which started last week, continues to soak crops and flood major catchments in the area.
Surrounding roads have been inundated and more than 10km of the major thoroughfare for trucks from Brisbane to Melbourne - the Newell Highway - is still flooded.
"We won't know what the cost will be to the (roads network) until waters recede," said NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay, who travelled to Forbes on Tuesday to inspect the damage.
"The sub-structure of the roads are completely water-logged so when heavy vehicles get back on the roads, that may damage them even more," he told AAP.
"The indication is that it's bad but we wont know for a couple of months the full expense of the damage across the state".
The Baird government is investigating ways to make the Forbes region more "flood-proof", Mr Gay said.
These include developing structures to make sure the north of the town remains open during a flooding event.
Early estimates meanwhile suggest there will be more than $500 million worth of damage to crops.
More than 200 landholders have filed damage reports across the central west but many haven't been able to inspect their land because the wet weather hasn't let up, Department of Primary Industries emergency coordinator Simon Oliver said.
"It's so wet that it probably needs a good two to three weeks of sunshine before the soil dries up," Mr Oliver told AAP.
"For some farmers it will be potentially devastating economically," he said.
"What was looking like a really good season is now turning a bit pear-shaped.
"Now they're just hoping to salvage at least some of their crops."
More wet weather is on the way for the central west, with residents in nearby Condobolin facing major flooding as the Lachlan River is forecast to exceed 7.2 metres on Wednesday.
Mr Oliver said the particularly wet spring this year will be good for farmers in the future.
"When the rain does start to dry up, hopefully things will turn around for them.
"The river systems are full and there will be plenty of water around for the drier seasons. So while there is short-term pain hopefully there will be long-term gain," he said.
Landholders can report flood damage, stock losses and other issues by calling the Local Land Services hotline on 1300 795 299 or emailing emergency.centralwest@lls.nsw.gov.au.
