The town of Lismore in the NSW northern rivers region has seen its fair share of floods, but nothing like the inundation that has devastated the region this week.
The record-breaking event has had a massive impact in the Northern Rivers, with thousands of people evacuated from their homes.
There are now great concerns for the welfare of local Aboriginal communities which are cut off, or completely submerged.
The Wilson River rose above 14 metres on Monday. The last major flood event in Lismore, from 2017, reached almost 11 metres.
Naomi Moran is the general manager of the Koori Mail, a bastion of First Nations media which is based in Lismore, on Bundjalung Country.
She said she's devastated watching the flood impact her community.
"This is a one in 100 year event that has happened, " she said.
"I cannot stress enough just how... devastating [it is] to all people involved."
Some communities, like Gundarimba mission to the south of Lismore, are cut off from town and have limited supplies, while others, like Cabbage Tree Island to the east, have been completely evacuated as the entire community is flooded.
The road between Lismore and Gundarimba, which has been cut off by floodwater. Source: Supplied
"Luckily, everyone followed the advice to evacuate and all members of Cabbo were taken off the island last night and taken to safety," said Ms Moran, whose mother lives in the community.
"But unfortunately they're going to be coming back to an island that's been completely devastated.
"It's similar for Coraki as well, we've got a lot of mob that live out in that town and they're really struggling with the reality that this is going to be a really big recovery effort for them..."
Ms Moran said the community is coming together to help those in need. She herself is helping to get supplies to communities that have been cut off from the major centres.
Widjabul Wiabal men Chris Binge, Ashley Moran and Zane Walford have been coordinating food supplies for the community of Gundarimba. Source: Supplied
"I just did a grocery shop," she said.
"I grabbed everything that I could so that we could load it up in the boat and so that we could send it out here to the Gundarimba community, they've been blocked off from the town centre," she said.
"Nobody's got electricity out there. They've got limited food supplies... just trying to get some decent food or decent supplies out there to keep them going over the next few days.
She said for the time being, the most important thing was to ensure the safety of locals.
"It's huge. We haven't seen anything like this before. The main thing is just checking in on everyone and seeing how we can communicate with our mob and make sure that they're okay."
