Farmers uncertain about future beyond deadly floods

Farmers are expecting to dig deep into their pockets as months of rain in a matter of days lash many regions, with some fearing financial ruin.

Exhausted cattle and sodden grass can be seen across farmland on NSW's mid-north coast, which has borne the brunt of deadly floods.

Emily Neilson has watched paddocks sink into the swollen Stewarts River on her property north of Taree.

"We need to move the cows to areas that don't get too muddy because if they end up sitting in really muddy areas, we get really sick cows," the dairy farmer told AAP.

"It's going to take weeks for this to dry out, so even once the rain stops and the sun comes out, the situation won't change.

"Unless we can get some sort of government grant to cover the repairs, we can't fix this."

Holly Gaddes watched water gush into her farm as the Macleay River reached heights of more than eight metres on Thursday.

The beef farmer had already moved her cattle off the property near Kempsey, but said the floods couldn't come at a worse time.

With winter approaching, the grass her cattle eat won't grow.

"I feel uncertain of everything; the house, the animals, the outlook," she told AAP while watching rain pound her Clybucca farm.

"Usually, the water takes a couple of days to get to our place and fill up, but this is kind of only taken one day.

"My neighbour Russell has got cattle all around the Macleay, so he's just going around checking and giving hay bales where he can."

In Barrington Tops, the mountains have copped more than 533mm this week.

Upper Hunter Shire Mayor Maurice Collison said this was the worst downpour he'd seen in more than 70 years.

Words of support from the nation's capital has cast some light on his gloom.

"The governor-general rang me this morning," Cr Collison told AAP on Thursday.

"She gave me her support, help, and to let her know if things get worse."

Farmers and other affected citizens are being urged to reach out for financial help.

"You don't have to tough it out on your own," Australian Banking Association chief executive Anna Bligh said.

"Banks have financial relief measures to help customers navigate through this incredibly challenging time ... banks have a range of options from repayment deferrals through to loan restructuring to help you get back on your feet."

Rivers are expected to stay above major flooding levels into Friday.