Residents affected by torrential rain on the NSW south coast are beginning the slow process of mopping up.
More than 70 residents from Sussex Inlet, Sanctuary Point and Shoalhaven Heads were evacuated after 470mm of rain fell in just over 36 hours during the week.
Shoalhaven City Council has been busy helping the area clean up on Friday, patching roads and assessing the damage.
The council has applied for the area to be declared a natural disaster zone with the hopes the NSW government will provide financial assistance.
Shoalhaven mayor Joanna Gash has set up a relief fund.
"The residents of the Shoalhaven have proven themselves to be a tough yet compassionate community in dealing with natural disasters," she said.
"I certainly encourage all local residents to dig deep and help assist those affected by the recent weather event."
Shoalhaven Animal Shelter is also lending a hand, reuniting owners with their lost pets and providing temporary accommodation for them when backyards are completely flooded.
The SES has received more than 1700 calls for help and performed 90 flood rescues since Monday.
Warragamba Dam will continue to spill over into next week, while minor flooding is expected along the Hawkesbury River in the North Richmond area on Friday.
