A FIFTH person died in a region devastated by floods after dangerous conditions prevented emergency crews from accessing a home.
The body of a man believed to be in his 80s was found inside a burnt-out vehicle in the shed of a Cooplacurripa property, about 50km north-west of Taree.
A concern for welfare had been raised on Wednesday after the shed was reportedly spotted alight but severe weather conditions prevented crews from getting to the property by road.
Access to the home was only possible by helicopter with officers arriving early on Friday afternoon, NSW Police said in a statement.
The intense rainfall that battered the mid-north coast for several days moved south on Friday, but some communities remained cut off.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Chris Minns planned to visit hard-hit Taree but their attempt to meet affected locals was aborted, further highlighting the town’s isolation by its second major flood in four years.
“We’ve heard word from local MPs and businesses that they’ve had a torrid three days, incredibly difficult circumstances,” Mr Minns said from Maitland.
“We know it will take a long time to get that community back up on its feet.”
Mr Minns eventually made it to Taree to meet with locals and see the devastation firsthand.
Port Macquarie local Margret Meagher told AAP the town took 18 months to recover from its last major flood and it would be important for the community to band together.
“People feel they’re isolated, so that’s where the whole community spirit is so pivotal,” she said.
More than 1600 insurance claims have already been made, according to the Insurance Council of Australia.
“Insurers stand ready to serve customers through the oncoming recovery period,” chief executive Andrew Hall said.
Of the five deaths linked to the record-breaking floods, three have involved drivers.
The body of a man in his late 70s was found on Friday after his vehicle appeared to be swept off a causeway at Nana Glen near Coffs Harbour.
Another man died at a flooded home near Taree, as did a driver west of Port Macquarie and a 60-year-old woman near Coffs Harbour.
A man missing in Nymboida has been located but police have not ruled out floods as a factor in the disappearance of another man in Bellingen.
But hundreds of people would be dead without SES volunteers, the premier said.
The prime minister announced assistance grants of $180 per person or $900 for families would roll out in coming days.
Those unable to work in the hardest-hit areas will have access to disaster recovery allowance from Monday.
“Tragically, we’re seeing more extreme weather events,” Mr Albanese said.
The SES has conducted 736 flood rescues.
But with the rate of rescue requests decreasing, by Friday volunteers were focusing on getting supplies to the 50,000 people isolated by floodwaters.
By Alex MITCHELL, Jack GRAMENZ and Kat WONG, AAP
