Premier, deputy visit NSW flood zone

Water began sweeping through the town of Forbes on Wednesday afternoon and the Lachlan River peaked early on Thursday at 10.52 metres, flooding some houses and destroying crops.

But the town has so far avoided the worst case scenario that saw hundreds of houses inundated in 2106.

Hundreds of evacuees have returned home after flood warnings were downgraded and local State Emergency Commander Rocky Walshaw says sandbagging properties and other preparations over the past week have paid off.

"I'm as happy as a pig in mud," he told ABC TV.

"We prepared for the worst and hoped for the best."

Mr Perrottet flew into Forbes on Thursday morning to see the damage and thank around 300 SES volunteers and other emergency service workers.

Over the past week they have been supporting locals by sandbagging to protect properties from rising waters and doorknocking to evacuate people, as well as conducting 33 flood rescues.

"That is the spirit that that gets our state through these difficult times," the premier said.

He commended locals who in the past four years have endured floods, drought, bushfires, a mouse plague and the pandemic, only to be hit with more floods.

"They're a very resilient community here and they are going to get through this difficult time as well," Mr Perrottet said.

Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the flooding had caused widespread damage across the state and delivered a cruel blow to farmers who were preparing to harvest a bumper crop.

"We won't know the extent of that damage until the waters have actually receded," he said.

Emergency Services Minister David Elliott warned that predicted wet and stormy conditions meant it would be a difficult spring and summer that would put significant stress on emergency services.

"Individuals have to take responsibility for their own preparations for the current weather conditions," he said.

"It is heartbreaking to see SES volunteers and RFS volunteers put their own lives at risk because people have been a bit lazy and not taken precautions they need to."

Although Forbes residents began returning to their homes on Wednesday after it became apparent the Lachlan River was unlikely to exceed major flood levels, the risk is far from over.

Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller said water has come through the town but insisted "it's nothing we can't handle".

"It's coming up some of the streets but nothing like we would have expected."

The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting more rain in the area, leaving the town "on a knife's edge", Ms Miller said.

"We're not out of the woods yet," she said.

The SES has advised residents and businesses to keep their flood preparations in place.

"More rain is forecast to fall this weekend that may contribute to increased flooding and river rises," the SES says.

Australian Associated Press