Massive clean up looms as NSW flood victims return home

Sitting on a muddy chair in front of her flood-ravaged Lismore home, Georgena Schulz is counting small blessings.

She says her household lost almost everything when about half a metre of water inundated the second storey during the town's near-record flood.

"I said if my guitar was alright then I wouldn't complain about anything else," she said as her brother and friend drank beers and smoked cigarettes after returning to their home on Sunday.

"We have to live for small blessings."

Residents face a devastating clean up in Lismore. Source: @RobertOvadia/ Twitter

There are fears many small business may close. Source: @RobertOvadia/Twitter

Two women have been killed by NSW flood waters after ex-cyclone Debbie dumped heavy rainfall on large parts of the state.

It's still being determined whether a man, whose body was found at a South Murwillumbah caravan park, died as a result of flooding.

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Most of Lismore's roads have now reopened after the river peaked at 11.6 metres, its highest since 1974.

The SES has asked people not to re-enter homes and businesses until they are given the all-clear by authorities.

There are also fears that some small businesses in Lismore will close due to financial issues brought on by the disaster.

Residents wade through rising floodwaters as they leave their home in central Lismore, NSW. Picture: AAP

Flood waters rush through the centre of Lismore. Picture: AAP

Lismore CBD is seen flooded after the Wilsons River breached its banks early Friday morning. Picture: AAP

Acting deputy commissioner Mark Morrow told the ABC buildings may be structurally unsound and there were still issues with sanitation.

Lismore mayor Isaac Smith described the town as "a war zone" and said around 60 businesses were still inundated on Sunday morning.

At Minesh Solanki's discount store, staff members were helping clean up items swept from shelves by the flood.

Mr Solanki says it could be months before he reopens with full stock.

He expects the damage bill to come in at about $250,000 and hopes he's not forced to close with two years on the lease.

"This is our pride and joy," Mr Solanki told AAP. adding he wasn't sure if his area qualified for flood insurance.

"My wife loves this store."

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Premier Gladys Berejiklian has urged residents to wait for the green light from authorities before returning to their homes and businesses.

"We know so many people are feeling stressed, a lot of them don't know what the condition of their home is like - please continue to be patient," she said in Sydney.

"This is a huge catastrophe.

"This is a massive, massive natural disaster."

The Rural Fire Service is setting up a base camp for hundreds of emergency service workers to help with the clean-up effort.

The small Aboriginal community of Cabbage Tree Island was evacuated as the water rushed downstream on Saturday.

Thousands of sandbags have been used at Ballina but it is now thought residents will not have to leave the town.