More rain for flood-hit NSW mid-north

Weekend rain is forecast for flood-affected areas on NSW's mid-north coast where up
to 1,500 people remain isolated after torrential downpours.
Premier Nathan Rees on Friday visited Coffs Harbour, which along with Clarence
Valley, Bellingen and Nambucca Heads, has been declared a disaster zone.
Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke also toured the region to inspect the flood
damage and be briefed on its impact on farms and other businesses.
Mr Burke said the impact to small business was clearly evident, with many already
having their damaged stock out on the footpath to be assessed.
"The damage will be known relatively quickly for them," Mr Burke said.
"For farmers it's going to take a longer period of time before they know the full
extent of the damage."
Mr Burke said oyster farmers had told him they had been "hit hard" by the floods and
rain, with concerns also for those in the beef and dairy industries.
Many dairy farmers had lost their power for a period of time which meant it was
"touch and go" if they could keep their cows in production, he said.
The damage bill has so far exceeded $27 million, with the Insurance Council of
Australia saying more than 2,000 claims have been lodged.
Mr Rees announced Office for Emergency Service director Stacey Tannos will be the
recovery controller, assisted by Veronica Lee from the Department of Premier and
Cabinet.
Their jobs would be to ensure government, welfare and private sector bodies help the
communities deal with floodwaters for the second time in about six weeks, he said.
"Recovering from the second major floods to strike the region in less than two
months will take considerable time and extensive government support."
While State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers continued the clean-up on Friday, the
Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has forecast increasing showers for the Coffs Harbour
area on Saturday and possible rain for Sunday.
About 1,500 residents remain isolated upstream from Bellingen, in the towns of Thora
and Darkwood, and in communities in the Kalang Valley.
The SES said floodwaters had receded on Friday but people would remain isolated
until sections of main roads, washed away in the storms, were repaired.
Supplies have been airlifted to people in need but many are well stocked because
floods are a frequent event in the areas.