The northern NSW city of Lismore has been declared a natural disaster area after heavy rain and floods caused an estimated $20 million of damage.
Locals were caught off guard when a month's worth of rain fell in just two hours yesterday.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian were briefed by the SES before making the natural disaster declaration today, paving the way for the area to receive emergency funds.
Mr Morrison said Lismore was a "very resilient community".
Flood warnings are in place for Lismore while NSW braces for severe storms later today.(Reece D'Alessandro)
More flood warnings have been issued across as residents try to mop up after a torrential deluge battered the region.