Three dead, 50,000 cut off as flood crisis continues in NSW

A relentless deluge across New South Wales has left nearly 50,000 people cut off and claimed three lives, with another person still missing.

The Mid North Coast and Hunter regions remain hardest hit, as floodwaters isolate communities and threaten over 9,000 homes.

Emergency services have carried out nearly 700 rescues since the flooding began, and while rain is expected to ease in some areas by Saturday, the NSW SES warns that the flood risk is far from over due to water continuing to flow downstream.

Severe weather warnings remain in place for much of the eastern part of the state, with rainfall shifting south toward Gosford, Newcastle, and the Illawarra.

Among the deceased is 63-year-old Moto farmer David Knowles, found outside his home near Taree. Two others — a man near Wauchope and a woman whose car was swept away between Armidale and Coffs Harbour — also lost their lives after becoming trapped in floodwaters.

Authorities report that the woman had initially been advised not to proceed through rising waters by a police officer, before calling for help half an hour later. Her body was discovered in her submerged vehicle.

With widespread damage, major river systems in the region remain at risk of further flooding despite the easing rain, underscoring the ongoing danger.