Missing man found alive but fifth person dies in NSW flooding zone

A man who went missing successful nan NSW floods has been recovered successful a uncommon spot of bully news from nan disaster that has now claimed nan lives of 5 group and near 50,000 trim disconnected crossed nan authorities moreover arsenic floodwaters statesman to recede.

Police confirmed that a 49-year-old man who went missing connected Wednesday nighttime has been recovered safely.

The siren was raised erstwhile nan man grounded to return location while stepping adjacent a flooded roadworthy astatine Nymboida, astir 40km southbound of Grafton.

Emergency services searched for nan man connected Wednesday night, and again coming but were incapable to find him.

However, constabulary announced this evening that they were told he had been recovered by members of nan organization astatine a spot successful Kangaroo Creek, 12 kilometres from wherever he had past been seen.

Police confirmed nan man was OK and "in bully spirits."

However, constabulary besides said coming that a 5th personification has been recovered dormant successful nan flood zone.

The man successful his 80s was incapable to beryllium contacted pursuing a reported shed occurrence connected Wednesday astatine a spot astatine Cooplacurripa, 50 kilometres northbound westbound of Taree.

Emergency services were incapable to entree nan spot by road, aliases by aerial owed to nan floods. When they were capable to entree nan spot today, they recovered nan man's assemblage successful a burnt-out conveyance wrong nan shed.

Forensic constabulary will analyse nan site, and a study will beryllium prepared for nan coroner.

Meanwhile, nan family of 1 of nan different flood victims person disputed constabulary claims astir her death.

Pauline Fitzsimons, 58, was swept to her decease astatine Dorrigo, westbound of Coffs Harbour, connected Wednesday nighttime aft driving done floodwaters. 

The news of nan calamity was confirmed past nighttime by police, who said she had been travelling successful convoy pinch a constabulary serviceman erstwhile he decided to move around. 

"The female successful her 4WD decided to continue, he checked nan h2o levels for her, and she made a determination to continue," NSW Police Assistant Commissioner David Waddel said. 

"The h2o levels were only ankle deep.

"He decided to spell back, he gave her his telephone number and told her to proceed pinch caution."

Thirty minutes later, she made a hopeless telephone for help. 

Her assemblage was recovered hours later. 

Today, her family issued a statement, criticising nan constabulary response. 

"He gave his mobile number to her, we assume, for her to telephone should she beryllium successful danger.

"She contacted him 20 minutes later successful a panic state, informing him she was drowning.

"The thought that our mother was a reckless driver is simply a unspeakable lie."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was successful nan disaster area today, was asked astir nan ordeal.

"I don't deliberation it would beryllium due for maine to remark connected an individual circumstance, isolated from to opportunity this: my bosom goes retired to nan family and loved ones of this woman."

Massive emergency response

Four group person died successful nan floods, and constabulary are still searching for 1 personification who remains missing.

The NSW SES said that location are still 160 progressive warnings, 39 of which are astatine emergency level.

More than 50,000 group are still isolated.

Emergency services person carried retired 736 flood rescues.

Taree locals statesman cleanup

Water levels began to easiness connected nan Manning River earlier today, allowing thousands of Taree residents to return home.

Today they began nan tremendous task of cleaning up nan harm of hundreds of inundated homes.

The Kempsey CBD, northbound of Port Macquarie, remains inundated. 

More than 1600 security claims person been revenge from nan floods successful nan past fewer days, according to nan Insurance Council of Australia (ICA).

Rain has mostly cleared complete nan Mid-North coast.

Drier upwind has group in, and is apt to stay complete nan weekend.

Sydney received monolithic rainfall overnight, pinch nan upwind strategy moving down complete nan NSW South Coast.

Warragamba Dam was astatine 97 per cent capacity today.

Strong winds are apt to get connected nan NSW Coast this weekend.

Aid for those affected by floods

The NSW authorities and national authorities will supply hardship grants to those affected by nan floods, Minns said.

"I want to denote pinch nan Prime Minister that assistance will statesman to travel soon, and coming I tin denote that successful conjunction pinch nan Commonwealth Government, that individual hardship assistance grants of $180 per individual aliases $900 per family will beryllium disposable arsenic soon arsenic possible," he said.

"It's not today, but that backing is connected nan measurement for communities that are taxable to an removal order.

"Again, jointly funded by nan authorities and Commonwealth Government, a $1 cardinal organization betterment assistance for section councils, $1 cardinal for each section assembly affected by emergency orders.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay crossed each nan latest successful breaking news, sport, authorities and nan upwind via our news app and get notifications sent consecutive to your smartphone. Available connected the Apple App Store and Google Play.